Actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have informed a Manhattan judge that settlement talks would be “premature” at this stage, despite facing court orders to engage in mediation as part of their dispute-resolution process. The duo’s lawsuits, which began two months ago, are expected to go to trial in March 2026.
Lively initially filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment on the set of one of her films. Baldoni has since countersued for $400 million in defamation damages, naming Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds and publicists as co-defendants.
Despite a court order to mediate, both parties have expressed that settlement discussions would be premature. They claim that further mediation is “inappropriate” at this stage and instead focus on preparing motions for dismissal.
It has also been reported that Lively’s lawyers are planning to expand their list of defendants in the coming days, although specific names have not been disclosed. The case continues to be one of the most high-profile disputes involving celebrities in recent times.
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/blake-lively-and-justin-baldoni-reach-an-agreement-of-sorts-neither-wants-to-stop-fighting-in-court-101739496491065.html