Blake Lively’s Explosive Legal Showdown with Justin Baldoni: A Trial Years in the Making
Hollywood drama just got real—and this time, it's not a movie script. Blake Lively, the star we’ve all come to love from the Gossip Girl days and beyond, is officially heading to trial. And yep, she’s taking the stand herself. In what’s shaping up to be one of the most high-profile legal battles in recent entertainment history, Lively is going all in as she accuses actor-director Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment, workplace retaliation, and a calculated PR smear campaign.
“Of course she will testify,” her legal team—Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb—told CNN, confirming what many had speculated since the lawsuit first hit headlines.
But this story is a lot more than just a he-said, she-said. It involves other alleged victims, explosive text receipts, surprise cameos from Ryan Reynolds, and even a Deadpool joke that may have crossed the line from humor into alleged defamation.
Here’s What’s Going Down 👇
Let’s rewind a bit. It all started back in December when Lively filed a formal complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department. This wasn’t just any HR complaint. She accused Baldoni of creating a toxic work environment on the set of their 2024 film, It Ends With Us, and retaliating against her when she spoke up.
But she didn’t stop there. She alleged that Baldoni and his PR team orchestrated what she calls a “social manipulation campaign”—a deliberate effort to destroy her public image while the movie was in the promo phase. Imagine trying to promote your new film while fighting off targeted PR warfare? Yeah, not ideal.
The lawsuit followed just days after her complaint.
Baldoni Isn’t Taking It Lying Down 😬
On the other side of the courtroom drama, Baldoni has fired back—hard. In January, he filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against both Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. That’s right, Reynolds got dragged into this too. Why?
According to Baldoni’s suit, Reynolds—who had no official role on the film—secretly re-wrote a scene, made unauthorized script edits, and even mocked Baldoni in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie by creating a parody character named "Nicepool." Allegedly, this was done to humiliate Baldoni publicly.
Nicepool? Savage, if true. Hilarious if not.
Baldoni also accused Reynolds of confronting him at the Lively-Reynolds New York home. And not in a friendly, "Hey buddy, let's talk" kind of way. Think more like a heated showdown.
Reynolds’ Role: Big Deal or Big Misunderstanding?
While Reynolds is still technically listed as a defendant in the $400 million suit, Lively’s lawyer Mike Gottlieb doesn’t think that’s going to stick.
“His involvement is based on nothing more than hurt feelings,” Gottlieb said in court docs, even going so far as to file a motion to remove Reynolds from the case altogether.
If that request goes through, Reynolds might not even show up in court—unless, of course, he's called as a witness. For now, his role is one big legal question mark.
Lively Isn’t Alone in Her Claims
Here's where things get even more serious. In an amended complaint filed this February, Lively’s team revealed that she wasn’t the only one raising red flags. Other women also came forward with disturbing stories about Baldoni’s behavior on set.
Their testimonies could be pivotal at trial, says Gottlieb.
“These individuals either witnessed or personally experienced misconduct that supports Ms. Lively’s case,” he explained. “And we expect them to testify about what actually went down on set.”
The implication? This wasn’t just a one-time incident. It might be part of a larger, more systemic pattern of behavior—one that’s only now coming to light.
The Media War: Lively vs. Baldoni vs. The New York Times
Let’s not forget the media angle. Baldoni has also sued The New York Times, claiming the outlet published a damning article about him filled with “inaccuracies, misrepresentations, and omissions.” According to Baldoni, the piece was basically a hit job designed to back Lively’s narrative.
The Times, naturally, isn’t backing down. Their response?
“We plan to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”
This makes three big players involved now: Lively, Reynolds, and one of the most respected newspapers in the country.
Talk about legal chaos.
Trial Set for 2026 – No Settlement in Sight
So when does this all finally go to trial? Mark your calendars: March 2026. Yep, it's a long way off, but both parties have made it clear—they're not looking to settle.
This means we could see one of the most watched celebrity court cases since, well… maybe Johnny Depp and Amber Heard?
And yes, Lively will be on the witness stand, ready to tell her side of the story—something her legal team says is absolutely critical.
“The trial is the ultimate moment for a plaintiff’s story to be told,” said Gottlieb. “And we expect that to be the case here.”
Baldoni’s Defense: “We’ve Got Receipts” 📁
Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman has said his client is ready to fight the claims, arguing the truth is clear in the form of documents, footage, and receipts.
“Although obviously uncomfortable for the Lively parties, the truth is not a distraction,” he told CNN. “It’s been clearly shown through unedited receipts, documents, and real-life footage.”
He’s framing Lively’s lawsuit as a media circus with little legal substance. Meanwhile, Lively's side believes this is about standing up for victims of harassment and making the industry safer.
Final Thoughts: What’s Really at Stake?
This isn’t just about a movie, a PR campaign, or even $400 million. It’s about truth, power, and reputation. It’s about whether a woman who spoke up will be believed—and whether her alleged harasser can defend himself against a storm of accusations.
And with Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool jokes now part of the mix? Let’s just say this trial has blockbuster potential—whether it plays out in a courtroom or on every major news outlet for months.
Stay tuned, because this Hollywood story is far from over.
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