Legal Drama Intensifies Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Over It Ends With Us Controversy
The high-stakes legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over It Ends With Us continues to escalate. Although the official trial isn’t scheduled to begin until March 9, 2026, developments in the case are moving quickly. A federal judge in New York recently dismissed a motion tied to Lively’s emotional distress claims, making it clear that further delays or strategic maneuvers would not be tolerated.
Judge Denies Motion, Demands Clarity
On Tuesday, Judge Lewis J. Liman swiftly denied a motion from Lively’s team, referencing the actress’s prior commitment to withdraw certain emotional distress claims from her ongoing lawsuit. In his order, Judge Liman stated:
“The motion to compel… is denied based on Plaintiff’s representation that the relevant claims will be withdrawn.”
Lively’s legal team had asked the court to dismiss the tenth and eleventh causes of action without prejudice, allowing them to potentially refile in the future. However, the judge denied that request as well—unless formally resubmitted through the proper channels or agreed upon by both parties.
Strict Conditions Imposed on Lively’s Team
Judge Liman added a firm warning: if Lively’s claims aren’t dismissed soon, she will be barred from submitting any evidence related to emotional distress in the trial. This decision follows conflicting messages from Lively’s attorneys, who previously said she intended to pursue damages for emotional distress through other parts of the lawsuit, including claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Legal Teams React with Tension
In response, Lively’s lawyers, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, issued a statement reaffirming their stance:
“The court denied Wayfarer’s motion… Ms. Lively has offered to dismiss those claims because they are no longer necessary, and she will continue to pursue emotional distress damages through other claims.”
Meanwhile, representatives for Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios declined to comment on the latest court ruling.
Broader Fallout from the Lawsuit
The dispute between Lively and Baldoni began publicly when Lively filed sexual harassment and retaliation complaints in December 2023. These were soon followed by a $400 million defamation and extortion suit from Baldoni against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their PR team.
Since then, the legal saga has expanded into a web of nearly half a dozen lawsuits, pulling in major names such as Taylor Swift, Disney, Marvel, and The New York Times. Despite public speculation, sources close to both camps insist that no settlement is on the horizon.
As tensions rise and careers hang in the balance, the courtroom battle over It Ends With Us is shaping up to be one of Hollywood’s most explosive legal showdowns in years.
