Hollywood isn't exactly a stranger to on-set drama. We’ve seen it all, from the infamous Don't Worry Darling spit-gate to the decades-long feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. But what happened between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni during and after the filming of It Ends With Us is something else entirely. It’s not just "creative differences" or a press tour where they didn't stand next to each other. We are now looking at a high-stakes legal war involving sexual harassment allegations, a $400 million countersuit, and claims of an orchestrated "smear campaign" that sounds like it came straight out of a prestige TV thriller.
Honestly, if you thought the drama ended when the movie left theaters, you've missed the biggest part of the story. As we head into 2026, the blake lively and justin baldoni lawsuit is moving toward a trial date that could fundamentally change how Hollywood power couples operate.
How the "It Ends With Us" Dream Turned Into a Legal Nightmare
It’s kinda wild to remember that back in 2023, fans were actually excited about this pairing. Justin Baldoni, the Jane the Virgin star who also directed the film, seemed like a great fit for the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s massive bestseller. Blake Lively, an undisputed A-lister, was cast as Lily Bloom. On paper, it was a box office slam dunk.
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But behind the scenes, things were allegedly crumbling before the first "action" was even called.
The trouble essentially started with a power struggle. Reports began to surface that Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, were taking a much more active role in the creative process than a typical lead actress and her spouse would. Reynolds reportedly wrote a significant portion of the pivotal rooftop scene, and Lively allegedly pushed for her own cut of the movie to be the one released in theaters.
The Breaking Point
The public first caught a whiff of the rot during the August 2024 press tour. You might remember the TikToks. People noticed that Baldoni was doing solo press while the rest of the cast—including Brandon Sklenar and Jenny Slate—seemed to be a united front with Lively. He didn't even pose with them at the New York premiere.
Then came the lawsuits.
In December 2024, Blake Lively officially sued Justin Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and his PR team. She didn't just claim they were "difficult." She accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
The Specific Allegations in the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Lawsuit
Lively’s legal team has laid out a series of serious claims that paint a very different picture of the "kind" persona Baldoni usually project. According to the court filings, Lively alleges that:
- Inappropriate Physical Contact: Baldoni allegedly insisted on unplanned kisses during scenes and lingered too long during intimate takes.
- Privacy Violations: The suit claims he walked into her dressing room while she was undressed.
- Unprofessional Conduct: Lively alleges he made "unwelcome and graphic" comments about his own sex life and a supposed "pornography addiction."
- Creativity as a Weapon: Lively claims Baldoni tried to add sex scenes or "climaxing" moments that weren't in the script she approved, allegedly as a way to make her uncomfortable.
Basically, Lively’s argument is that Baldoni used his position as director to harass her. Her team even claimed that she had to set a list of "non-negotiables" just to finish the movie, which included having an intimacy coordinator present at all times (something she claims Baldoni initially resisted or bypassed).
Baldoni Strikes Back: The $400 Million Countersuit
Justin Baldoni didn't just take those hits quietly. In January 2025, he filed a massive countersuit against Lively and Ryan Reynolds. He isn't just asking for a small settlement; he’s seeking at least $400 million in damages.
His side of the story? He claims he’s the victim of a "scorched-earth" smear campaign.
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Baldoni’s lawyers, led by Bryan Freedman, argue that Lively and Reynolds basically "hijacked" the film. They allege the couple used their massive industry influence to alienate the cast from him and eventually tried to "bury" his reputation when the public started criticizing Lively’s "tone-deaf" promotion of the film (remember those interviews where she was promoting her hair care line while talking about domestic violence?).
The "Buckingham Palace" Deposition
In a fascinating twist during an October 2025 deposition, Baldoni made some pretty odd claims about the power dynamics. He alleged that Lively insisted all creative meetings take place at her home office, which she reportedly dubbed "Buckingham Palace." He described a meeting where Ryan Reynolds allegedly "yelled at him for hours" in an attempt to destabilize him and seize control of the project. It sounds less like a film set and more like a corporate takeover.
Where the Case Stands in 2026
If you're looking for a quick resolution, you’re out of luck. The legal system moves slow, especially when it involves hundreds of millions of dollars and some of the biggest names in the world.
A New York federal judge, Lewis J. Liman, has been overseeing the chaos. While some of the fringe claims have been tossed—like Baldoni’s initial suit against The New York Times for their reporting—the core of the battle is still very much alive.
Key Dates to Watch:
- March 9, 2026: This is the current trial date set by Judge Liman.
- May 18, 2026: Another significant hearing date has been floated for the case against Baldoni’s PR counsel.
The judge has already had to warn both sides about "pretrial publicity." Basically, the lawyers are being told to stop trying the case in the court of public opinion. Baldoni’s team even created a website at one point to release unsealed documents and texts that they claim prove the sexual harassment allegations were fabricated to cover up the creative takeover.
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The Industry Fallout: Who Else is Involved?
This isn't just a two-person fight anymore. The splash zone is huge.
- Jenny Slate: Reports surfaced in early 2025 that the actress, who played Ryle's sister in the film, was also involved in the legal drama. Some filings suggest she made her own complaints about the environment on set.
- The PR War: Lively has gone after crisis management experts like Jed Wallace, alleging they "weaponized a digital army" to turn the internet against her during the movie's release.
- Scooter Braun: Even the infamous music mogul got pulled into this. Lively attempted to subpoena him and his company, Hybe America, alleging they were associated with Baldoni's PR strategy.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Trial
With the trial scheduled for early 2026, the "he said, she said" is about to become "evidence vs. evidence." Here is how to keep your head on straight as the headlines get crazier:
- Look for the "Complete" Texts: Both sides are claiming that the other is "cherry-picking" text messages. When the trial starts, look for the full transcripts. Context is everything in a defamation case.
- Intimacy Coordinator Records: This will be the "smoking gun" for the harassment claims. If the intimacy coordinator’s notes back up Lively’s version of the "unplanned kissing," Baldoni is in trouble. If they show Lively refused to meet with them (as Baldoni claims), the narrative flips.
- The "Creative Control" Paper Trail: If emails show Sony Pictures or Wayfarer Studios officially gave Lively permission to edit her own cut, Baldoni's "extortion" and "hijacking" claims become much harder to prove.
The blake lively and justin baldoni lawsuit is more than just gossip. It’s a case study in how power is brokered in modern Hollywood. Whether it ends in a massive settlement or a televised trial, the "It Ends With Us" legacy is now permanently tied to a courtroom.