Blake Lively’s Court Appearance Postponed; Judge Suggests Settlement for ‘It Ends With Us’ Dispute
Blake Lively is adamant about pursuing her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios team, refusing to consider a settlement in her case involving allegations of sexual harassment and an online smear campaign. A judge has postponed the scheduled trial, insisting on alternative resolutions.
During a discovery hearing in New York City, Judge Lewis Liman informed attorneys for both parties that he had to reschedule the previously set civil trial date of March 9, 2026, due to the priority given to criminal cases in the busy court system.
The trial is now slated to commence on May 18, 2026.
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Recognizing the pressures on the judicial system, Judge Liman also mandated the legal teams for Lively and Baldoni to explore a potential settlement in their high-profile case. He instructed the parties to consult with Magistrate Judge Sarah Cave in the coming weeks to facilitate discussions.
Currently, Lively is seeking $500 million in damages, citing harm to her reputation and the well-being of her family, which includes Ryan Reynolds. This comes amid Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit concerning events during the production of the Sony-distributed film, which is set to premiere in August 2024.
Described by Liman as a “feud between PR films,” the allegations of misconduct on the set of It Ends With Us and subsequent digital attacks became public when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on December 20, 2024. Since then, various lawsuits have emerged, alongside Lively’s complaint in federal court in New York.
With settlement discussions now underway, the next pivotal date in this contentious dispute is January 22. On that date, attorneys will present their arguments regarding Baldoni and Wayfarer’s request for a summary judgment to dismiss the case.
Lively has made it clear in recent filings that she opposes the dismissal. Baldoni is expected to respond to Lively’s objections by the end of this week, aligning with the holiday season.
