Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are locked in a high-profile legal fight over It Ends With Us.
How a Hollywood legal battle over a romance drama turned into a courtroom showdown
New York (Star Struck Times) — In a dramatic twist few predicted, Blake Lively has filed suit against co-star and director Justin Baldoni over alleged sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign, setting the stage for a high-stakes courtroom drama that will reach trial in March 2026. The fallout from It Ends With Us has escalated beyond celebrity gossip—this is now a legal battle with deep implications for power dynamics in Hollywood.
According to court documents made public in recent weeks, a previously unsigned contract for Lively’s starring role in It Ends With Us was submitted as evidence in filings, revealing she would have been paid a fixed fee of $1.75 million, plus bonuses tied to awards such as Oscars and box office performance. That document further proposed a 10 percent share of the film’s gross receipts, personal perks including a private jet for certain shoots, and weekly stipends for fitness and meals. The terms, Lively asserts, were never formalized—but they underscore the level of financial stakes under dispute.
Lively’s lawsuit, filed December 31, 2024, names Baldoni, his production firm Wayfarer Studios, crisis communications professionals, publicists, and associated entities. She alleges they orchestrated a “sophisticated press and digital plan” in retaliation for her speaking out about misconduct on set, creating what she describes as a hostile work environment. Baldoni has vigorously denied the claims. In January 2025, he responded with a $400 million counter-suit, accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist of defamation, civil extortion, and interference with contract rights. But in a major ruling this past June, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni’s complaint, declaring that Lively’s statements made in legal filings are protected and that his counterclaims did not satisfy extortion standards under California law.
Supporters of Lively—and some critics of Baldoni—have not remained silent. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn issued a joint message, “We stand by her side,” citing their first-hand awareness of her efforts to create a safe on-set environment. Jenny Slate, who appeared in It Ends With Us, called the revelations “terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening” in her commentary to Today. Meanwhile, Lively’s legal team characterized Baldoni’s release of behind-the-scenes footage (via TMZ) as part of a retaliatory media campaign. They maintain “every frame” of the footage actually supports Lively’s version of events.
“People deserve to see not only what was intended but what really happened—no spin, no rewriting,” Lively stated in a public comment about the disclosures.
Baldoni’s team has pushed back aggressively. In recent filings and public statements, they accuse Lively and her PR machinery of editing leaks, manipulating narratives, and using high-profile friendships (such as with Taylor Swift) as strategic leverage. However, their attempt to subpoena Swift—based on the theory she was used to pressure Baldoni—was withdrawn following judicial rebukes about abuse of process.
Another twist: Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, is now facing his own legal challenges. He is the subject of a malpractice lawsuit tied to a prior case, as well as a State Bar complaint. Freedman has defended his conduct vigorously, stating that no liability was found and denying wrongdoing. The ethics spotlight on him adds a new layer to what was already a headline-grabbing legal saga.
Public sentiment is sharply divided. On social media, fans of Lively express fierce solidarity—“We believe her, she’s brave,” one fan posted on X—while others argue the evidence has been manipulated. Some critics caution that the case is evolving in real time, and both sides will present dueling narratives. For now, however, the June ruling is being hailed by Lively’s camp as a significant victory.
As the trial date approaches in March 2026, observers are watching for whether there will be settlement negotiations, further counterclaims, or additional revelations from discovery. Lively has already dropped two claims—intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress—“without prejudice,” meaning she reserves the right to revive them later. Her legal team argues the remaining claims (harassment, retaliation, defamation) remain strongly supported.
For many fans and industry watchers, this is more than a celebrity feud. It’s a test of how the entertainment industry handles accusations of misconduct behind the scenes, and how far legal shields protect powerful figures. Will Lively’s bold challenge change the status quo? Will Baldoni’s defense withstand scrutiny, or will new evidence rewrite the narrative?
FAQs
Q: When does the trial actually begin? The case is scheduled to go before a jury on March 9, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Q: What was dismissed by the court in June 2025? Judge Liman dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation/extortion suit against Lively, Reynolds, and The New York Times, ruling that Lively’s statements were legally protected under litigation privilege. He also tossed parts of Baldoni’s claims that didn’t meet extortion law standards.
Q: Did Lively drop any of her claims? Yes, she dropped two emotional distress claims (intentional and negligent infliction) “without prejudice,” meaning she could revive them later if needed.
Q: What new developments are raising concern? Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman faces a malpractice lawsuit and Bar complaint stemming from prior cases. Many legal observers say the ethics proceedings could affect perceptions in this case.
Q: Where does the evidence stand now? Neither side has fully presented their evidence in open court yet—discovery is ongoing. Lively’s team claims internal messages, subpoenaed texts, and the footage released by Baldoni support her narrative. Baldoni denies wrongdoing and insists Lively manipulated PR and narrative control.
If you’d like a full timeline breakdown, or sample social media teasers / multimedia assets for this story, I can prepare that next.
The It Ends With Us legal saga between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is far from over — and as new court filings and public statements emerge, every twist could reshape the narrative. Stay with Star Struck Times for real-time Hollywood updates, exclusive courtroom insights, and verified news direct from trusted entertainment sources.
Join the conversation — whose side do you believe, Blake or Justin?
Hello! I'm M Muzamil Shami, the founder and lead editor of Star Struck Times, your trusted source for trending news, entertainment scoops, celebrity gossip, sports highlights, and global headlines.
With a passion for storytelling and journalism, I created this platform to bring you breaking news, viral moments, and deep insights into the worlds of Bollywood, Hollywood, sports, politics, tech, and more — all in one place.
