A New York judge has set a trial date for April 9, 2026, for the high-profile lawsuit between actress Blake Lively and her “It Ends With Us” costar and director Justin Baldoni. The case centers on allegations of sexual harassment and defamation filed by Lively against Baldoni, his production company, and others.
Lively’s lawyers claim that Baldoni’s attorney is trying to sway potential jurors with extrajudicial statements and a website releasing selected documents between the two parties. In response, Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman stated that they would present evidence directly contradicting Lively’s allegations, including text messages and video footage showing no sexual harassment.
In a separate filing in Texas court, Lively has requested a deposition from crisis management specialist Jed Wallace, alleging he was behind much of the social media manipulation surrounding the film that turned public sentiment against her. The case is expected to be combined with another lawsuit filed by Baldoni accusing Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds of defamation and extortion.
The “It Ends With Us” adaptation exceeded box office expectations with a $50 million debut, but the movie’s release was marred by speculation over the alleged discord between Lively and Baldoni. The high-profile lawsuit highlights the challenges faced by Hollywood actors in navigating public feuds and reputations.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-9f40635a679b8e505fd403a337e1ad85