The $400 Million Feud: 5 Shocking Twists In The Justin Baldoni And Blake Lively Legal Battle After 'It Ends With Us'

The on-screen romance between Lily Bloom and Ryle Kincaid in the blockbuster film It Ends With Us has been completely overshadowed by a dramatic, real-life legal battle between its stars, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The controversy, which has rocked Hollywood since the movie's August 9, 2024, release, centers on explosive allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, transforming the highly-anticipated Colleen Hoover adaptation into a stunning case of behind-the-scenes turmoil.

As of December 2025, the legal saga is far from over, with a trial date now set for May 2026. This unprecedented feud involves a massive $400 million counter-suit, a rescinded award, and a complex web of claims that have put the professional reputations of both the lead actress and her director-costar in serious jeopardy, providing a dramatic contrast to their intense on-screen chemistry.

The Complete Biography Profile: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

The two stars at the center of the It Ends With Us controversy are established figures in Hollywood, known for their work across television and film. Their professional backgrounds provide context to the high-stakes nature of their current legal conflict.

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Blake Lively: Actress, Director, and Producer

• Full Name: Blake Ellender Brown (Professionally known as Blake Lively)
• Date of Birth: August 25, 1987
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Known for her role as Serena van der Woodsen in the hit TV series Gossip Girl, as well as lead roles in films like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005), The Age of Adaline, and A Simple Favor. She has recently moved into directing and producing.
• Spouse: Ryan Reynolds (married since 2012)

Justin Baldoni: Actor, Director, and Filmmaker

• Full Name: Justin Louis Baldoni
• Date of Birth: January 24, 1984
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Best known for his role as Rafael Solano on The CW satirical telenovela Jane the Virgin. He has directed feature films including Five Feet Apart and Clouds, and co-founded Wayfarer Studios.
• Spouse: Emily Baldoni (married since 2013)

The Shocking Timeline of the 'It Ends With Us' Legal Battle

The adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel was expected to be a career-defining moment for both Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Instead, the production and subsequent release of the film have been marred by a dramatic and public legal feud. The timeline of events reveals a rapid escalation from on-set tension to high-stakes litigation.

1. Blake Lively's Initial Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Lawsuit

The core of the legal drama began when Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, in December 2024. Lively's complaint alleges sexual harassment and a subsequent campaign of retaliation after she spoke out about a "hostile work environment" on the set of the film. The lawsuit specifically claims that Baldoni engaged in "inappropriate behavior" during the production of the movie.

2. The Controversial Dance Scene Footage

A key piece of evidence cited in Lively's lawsuit involves raw footage from a dance scene in It Ends With Us. This footage is alleged to contain the inappropriate behavior that Lively reported, suggesting the tension and discomfort were captured on film. Lively also alleges that Baldoni made other women on the set uncomfortable, broadening the scope of the claims beyond her personal experience.

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The Escalation: A $400 Million Counter-Suit and Rescinded Award

The controversy intensified dramatically when Justin Baldoni responded to Lively's allegations with a massive $400 million counter-suit. This move transformed a workplace dispute into a complex, public legal war involving defamation and contract claims, and drew in other major celebrities.

3. Justin Baldoni's Dismissed $400 Million Lawsuit

Baldoni's counter-suit, filed against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and even Taylor Swift, was detailed in a lengthy 179-page complaint. Baldoni's lawsuit was ultimately dismissed by a judge, though the underlying allegations and claims of a smear campaign against him remain a central part of the overall legal narrative. Lively, meanwhile, is seeking a staggering $161 million in financial losses from Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios.

4. The Revocation of the 'Voices of Solidarity Award'

In a major blow to Baldoni's public image, the non-profit organization Vital Voices rescinded its prestigious "Voices of Solidarity Award". This award, which recognizes men for advocating on behalf of women and girls, was revoked following the public emergence of the sexual harassment allegations and claims regarding his conduct on set. The rescinded honor provided a significant real-world consequence to the claims, further highlighting the severity of the situation.

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The Future of the Feud and the Film's Legacy

The legal battle between the two lead stars has created a bizarre duality: a film about a complex, difficult relationship (Lily and Ryle) that is now inextricably linked to a real-life legal drama between the actors portraying them. The future of the case and the legacy of It Ends With Us hang in the balance.

5. The May 2026 Trial Date and Ongoing Tension

Despite the movie's box office success and the enduring popularity of the Colleen Hoover source material, the legal drama continues to dominate headlines. A judge has postponed the trial date to May 2026, meaning the controversy will linger over Hollywood for the foreseeable future. The legal proceedings involve complex issues of U.S. federal and California state law regarding retaliation, making the case a significant test of workplace conduct standards in the entertainment industry.

The dramatic contrast between the intense, romantic chemistry praised in early reviews of It Ends With Us and the current legal animosity has created a unique, if unfortunate, legacy for the film. For fans of the book and the movie, the story of Lily and Ryle is now forever intertwined with the real-life feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, proving that sometimes, the drama off-screen is far more compelling—and costly—than anything written in a script.