What you need to know, so far, about the Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni legal feud

Actress Blake Lively and her It Ends with Us costar and director Justin Baldoni are set to head to trial next March, as a New York judge has scheduled a trial date in the ongoing public and legal battle between the Hollywood figures. The case involves allegations of sexual harassment and smear campaigns related to the making of the hit film.

The dispute between Lively and Baldoni began to escalate leading up to the premiere of the film in August 2024. Rumors circulated that Baldoni and Lively, along with other cast and crew members, did not get along during the filming process. Reports suggested that Baldoni had clashed with Lively and created an uncomfortable environment on set. There were also allegations that Baldoni had fat-shamed Lively and resented her husband, Ryan Reynolds, being on set.

As the tension continued to rise, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual misconduct during the shooting of the film and of orchestrating a campaign to tarnish her reputation. Baldoni denied all allegations of impropriety and countersued Lively and Reynolds. The legal battle has drawn in observers and sparked debates in forums dedicated to the case, reminiscent of high-profile defamation lawsuits in the entertainment industry.

Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department against Baldoni, the film studio, and Baldoni’s publicists, alleging invasive and sexually inappropriate behavior on the part of Baldoni. She also claimed that Baldoni and the studio engaged in a plan to damage her reputation following a meeting where she and Reynolds addressed Baldoni’s alleged behavior.

In response, Baldoni filed a libel lawsuit against the New York Times for their article detailing the allegations against him. He claimed that Lively had falsely accused him of sexual harassment and manipulated the media to smear him and others involved in the production.

The PR battle between the two parties intensified, with Baldoni’s team releasing a video of him and Lively filming a scene that contradicted Lively’s claims of inappropriate behavior. Baldoni’s team also released an audio message in which he apologized to Lively for his reaction to her script change suggestions.

Legal challenges lie ahead for both Lively and Baldoni. Lively’s sexual harassment case may face difficulties in meeting the standard of severe and pervasiveness of conduct, especially in light of the video evidence released by Baldoni’s team. Baldoni’s countersuit alleging defamation by Lively may also face obstacles, particularly regarding the litigation privilege defense.

The trial next March will be a critical moment in the ongoing battle between Lively and Baldoni, as they seek to prove their respective claims and defend their reputations in the court of law. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for both Hollywood figures and the entertainment industry as a whole.