If you spent any time on TikTok or X in late 2024, you probably saw the "It Ends With Us" press tour spiral into one of the messiest Hollywood feuds in recent memory. It started with fans noticing that the cast didn't seem to like director and leading man Justin Baldoni. Then came the rumors of "creative differences." But by December 2024, things stopped being just internet gossip. It turned into a high-stakes legal war.
So, let's get straight to the point: did Blake Lively sue Justin Baldoni?
Yes, she did. It wasn't just a rumor or a PR stunt to save face after a rocky press tour. In December 2024, Blake Lively filed a formal lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and several of his PR associates. The legal battle has been aggressive, expensive, and frankly, pretty shocking. It’s a lot more than just two actors who didn't get along.
The Lawsuit That Shook Hollywood
The drama officially moved from the red carpet to the courtroom when Lively filed her initial complaint. She didn't hold back. In the filing, she accused Baldoni of creating a "hostile work environment" and engaging in sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us.
Basically, Lively claimed that Baldoni’s behavior made her feel unsafe and "extremely anxious" throughout the production. Some of the specific allegations were pretty graphic. According to court documents, she alleged that Baldoni improvised sexual content and physical intimacy that wasn't in the script or rehearsed. There were even claims that he made inappropriate comments about her body and her late father.
It sounds like a nightmare.
Lively also alleged that after she tried to address these issues in a private meeting in January 2024, Baldoni didn't try to fix things. Instead, she claims he hired a "crisis management team" to orchestrate a smear campaign against her. The goal? To make her look like the "mean girl" and the one responsible for the tension, effectively "burying" her reputation before the movie even hit theaters.
Justin Baldoni’s $400 Million Fight Back
Baldoni didn't just sit there and take it. He fired back with his own massive lawsuit. In January 2025, he sued Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for a staggering $400 million.
His side of the story? He claimed Lively and Reynolds were the ones doing the bullying. Baldoni’s lawsuit accused the couple of defamation, extortion, and a "hostile takeover" of the film. He basically argued that Lively used her star power and her husband’s influence to steamroll his creative vision and then tried to destroy his career when he didn't go along with it.
He also sued The New York Times for $250 million, claiming they published a "false narrative" by relying on "cherry-picked" communications provided by Lively's team.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Legal Battle
There is a huge misconception that these lawsuits were just for show or that they’ve already been settled. That’s not the case at all. While the court has made some big moves, the war is still very much active.
Honestly, it's been a bit of a roller coaster in court:
- The Big Dismissal: In June 2025, a New York judge actually dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds. The judge ruled that Baldoni couldn't sue for defamation based on allegations made in a legal complaint—that's generally protected under "litigation privilege."
- The NYT Victory: Baldoni's case against The New York Times was also tossed. The court felt the paper was doing its job reporting on a matter of public interest.
- Lively’s Case Stands: Here is the kicker—while Baldoni’s main countersuit was shut down, Lively’s lawsuit against him is still moving forward. A trial date has been set for May 18, 2026.
This means that for the next several months, both sides are going to be digging through emails, text messages, and depositions. In fact, things have already gotten weird. Baldoni’s team was recently granted access to Lively’s private text conversations with Taylor Swift. On the flip side, Lively has been subpoenaing figures like Scooter Braun, trying to prove a connection between him and Baldoni’s PR strategy.
Why Blake Lively Just Hired a New Lawyer
If you want to know how serious this is getting, look at Lively's latest legal move. Just this week, in January 2026, she added Sigrid McCawley to her team.
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If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she is the high-profile attorney who famously represented the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. Hiring someone of that caliber sends a very clear message: Lively is not looking for a quiet settlement. She is preparing for a full-scale trial. McCawley released a statement saying she is proud to represent a woman standing up against a "hostile work environment."
Why This Matters Beyond Just Celebrity Gossip
It’s easy to dismiss this as "rich people problems," but the legal fallout of It Ends With Us is actually a big deal for the industry. It touches on #MeToo themes, the power of "ghost directors" (referring to the rumors that Reynolds and Lively took over the edit), and how PR firms use social media to manipulate public opinion.
People are still arguing about who the "villain" is here.
Was Baldoni a difficult, inappropriate director who used crisis PR to gaslight his lead actress? Or was Lively a powerful producer who used her massive platform to bully a director out of his own movie and then sued him to cover her tracks?
The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle, but the court is going to have to find it.
What Happens Next?
Since the trial is set for May 2026, we are in the "discovery" phase. This is usually when the most embarrassing stuff leaks. We’ve already seen reports of "disruptive" depositions where Lively's lawyers accused Baldoni’s team of asking inappropriate questions about her personal life.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case:
- Check the Docket, Not Just TikTok: Social media is heavily biased in this case. If you want the real story, look for updates from legal reporters at outlets like The Hollywood Reporter or Variety who are actually reading the court filings.
- Watch for "Discovery" Leaks: Between now and May, expect more private texts or emails to "accidentally" surface. This is a common tactic in high-profile cases to sway the court of public opinion before the jury even sits down.
- Understand the Dismissals: Don't assume the case is over because you saw a headline saying "Judge Dismisses Lawsuit." Usually, that refers to Baldoni’s countersuit, not the original case filed by Lively.
The situation is a mess, plain and simple. What started as a movie about breaking the cycle of abuse has ended in a real-life legal cycle that doesn't seem to have an end in sight.
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Keep an eye on the May 2026 trial date. That is when the real evidence—and the final verdict—will finally come to light.