The legal conflict between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, co-stars of the film It Ends With Us, has evolved into a multifaceted dispute involving allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and retaliatory smear campaigns. The case has garnered significant media attention and is set for trial on March 9, 2026, in the Southern District of New York.
Origins of the Dispute
In December 2024, Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Justin Baldoni of creating a hostile work environment during the production of It Ends With Us. She alleged that Baldoni made inappropriate comments and engaged in unprofessional conduct. Subsequently, Lively filed a federal lawsuit against Baldoni, citing sexual harassment and retaliation .
In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation and civil extortion lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times. Baldoni’s suit claims that Lively and her associates orchestrated a smear campaign to damage his reputation and career .
Controversial Legal Maneuvers
Prior to her public allegations, Lively’s legal team initiated a covert legal action through a shell company named Vanzan Inc. in September 2024. This move allowed them to subpoena communications from Baldoni’s former publicist, Stephanie Jones, without directly naming Lively. The obtained messages allegedly revealed efforts by Baldoni’s PR team to discredit Lively during the film’s promotion .
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, criticized this tactic as a “sham lawsuit” designed to circumvent legal procedures. He argued that the subpoena was a deceptive means to acquire confidential information without proper legal channels .
Involvement of Public Relations Firms
The dispute has also entangled public relations firms. Baldoni’s former PR firm, Jonesworks, and its founder Stephanie Jones, have been implicated in the controversy. Jones allegedly provided Lively’s team with internal communications from former employees Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, which are central to the case. Jones’s attorney, Kristin Tahler, contends that the materials were handed over in compliance with a subpoena and accuses Baldoni’s team of using the situation to deflect from the core issues .
Potential Witnesses and Public Reactions
High-profile individuals such as Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman may be called to testify due to their close relationships with Lively and Reynolds. Swift, in particular, was mentioned in Baldoni’s lawsuit as having allegedly influenced script changes in the film .
At the 2025 TIME100 Gala, where Lively was honored as one of TIME magazine’s most influential people, she delivered a speech emphasizing resilience and the importance of speaking out against injustice. While she did not directly address the lawsuit, her remarks were seen as alluding to the ongoing legal battle .
Legal Proceedings and Future Outlook
The trial is scheduled to commence on March 9, 2026, in the Southern District of New York. Judge Lewis J. Liman has consolidated the various lawsuits and indicated that pretrial proceedings will address issues of publicity and attorney conduct .
As the case progresses, motions to dismiss have been filed by Lively, Reynolds, Sloane, and The New York Times, arguing that Baldoni’s claims lack legal merit and infringe upon free speech protections. The court’s decisions on these motions will significantly impact the direction of the trial.
