All you need to know about the explosive Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni courtroom drama over ‘It Ends with Us’ movie

In what has become the drama and gossip around the hit film of 2024 titled ‘It Ends with Us,’ Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, co-stars of this drama film, are now on opposing sides in an intense and highly publicized court battle with sexual harassment allegations and defamation lawsuits. While the news and allegations began on set, they have since escalated to include multimillion-dollar counter-suits and settled into settlement talks that fell through in February 2026, ready to go to public trial. Here’s how it all went down.

Blake Lively’s initial lawsuit

Blake Lively filed a complaint against Justin Baldoni and his production studio, Wayfarer Studios, and PR executives Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel at a federal courthouse in New York on December 31, 2024, as per The Wrap and NBC News.The complaint states that Justin Baldoni improvised intimate scenes without consent, including lingering kisses and touches. Justin Baldoni allegedly commented on her weight, played explicit videos to her, and spoke to her about his previous addiction to pornography. Blake Lively complained to Justin Baldoni, but his production studio started spreading rumors about her. They placed stories in the media to portray her as difficult to work with during publicity tours. Unsealed messages exposed media manipulation. With one referencing Taylor Swift’s PR tactics as a model. Blake Lively seeks damages for emotional distress and lost opportunities, potentially worth hundreds of millions, as reported by People Magazine.

Justin Baldoni’s countersuit and dismiss

However, according to LA Times, Justin Baldoni struck back on January 16, 2025, with a lawsuit of $400 million against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist, Leslie Sloane. The claims include defamation, extortion, and invasion of privacy. Justin Baldoni accused Blake Lively of an attempt at asserting control over his film during a “crisis meeting.” He referred to her claims as “categorically false,” which Blake Lively made to improve her image.

Federal judge Lewis Liman threw out Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit in June 2025 under anti-SLAPP free speech laws. Blake Lively’s lawyers hailed it as a “total vindication,” and now seek attorney fees and sanctions against Justin Baldoni.

On February 12, 2026, both stars appeared in Manhattan federal court for court-mandated mediation before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave, as per Hollywood Reporter. Kept in separate rooms, their teams negotiated for six hours, but no deal emerged. Justin Baldoni arrived with his wife Emily, looking somber, while Blake Lively stayed composed in a dark coat.

Justin Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman told reporters outside, “The discussions were unsuccessful,” but added they are “looking forward to” the May 18 trial before Judge Liman. Freedman noted future talks remain possible, though optimism is low.

Road to trial

Blake Lively plans to testify, with her team prepared for a jury showdown. Issues loom, including potential document sanctions against Justin Baldoni’s side for allegedly hiding of evidence. The case grips Hollywood, highlighting tensions in collaborative filmmaking and #MeToo-era accountability. As the trial nears, fans await a resolution to this once-friendly set turned legal firestorm.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”