A New York judge has set a trial date for March 2026 in the ongoing legal battle between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, co-stars and director of the film 'It Ends With Us.' The judge also moved an initial conference to next week to address complaints about pretrial publicity and attorney conduct.
Lively filed a request in a Texas court for a deposition of a man she claims played a central role in turning public sentiment against her during the film's release and promotion. This move comes amidst escalating tensions between the two parties.
Lively's lawyers accused Baldoni's attorney of attempting to influence potential jurors by creating a website to release selected documents and communications between Lively and Baldoni. They claimed that this extrajudicial campaign was tarnishing Lively's reputation and potentially prejudicing the jury pool.
In response, Baldoni's attorney defended their actions, stating that they were seeking to present unedited facts to counter Lively's allegations. Both parties have been engaged in a war of words, with accusations of defamation and manipulation being hurled from both sides.
The legal saga began when Lively sued Baldoni and his production company for sexual harassment and attacks on her reputation, while Baldoni countersued for defamation and extortion, seeking damages of at least $400 million. The judge indicated that the lawsuits would likely be combined for trial.
'It Ends With Us,' the film at the center of the controversy, was a surprise hit last summer, grossing $50 million in its debut. However, behind-the-scenes discord between Lively and Baldoni overshadowed its success, leading to a series of legal disputes that have now spilled into multiple jurisdictions.
Lively, known for her roles in 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' and 'Gossip Girl,' and Baldoni, star of 'Jane the Virgin' and director of 'Five Feet Apart,' find themselves embroiled in a complex legal battle that shows no signs of abating.
