Blake Lively: 5 Shocking New Career Moves And The Turbulent Legal Battle That Defined 2025

Blake Lively, the Hollywood icon known for her effortless style and roles from *Gossip Girl* to *A Simple Favor*, has navigated one of the most tumultuous yet transformative periods of her career as of late 2025. This year has been defined not just by major new film announcements and a planned family hiatus with husband Ryan Reynolds, but by a high-stakes legal drama that has kept the entertainment world on edge. The actress is pivoting from dramatic roles to producing and starring in action-comedies, signaling a major shift in her professional trajectory, even as she deals with a complex, ongoing court battle. The latest developments, including the postponement of a major trial and the securing of lucrative production deals, confirm that Lively remains one of the industry's most powerful and resilient figures. As of December 2025, her focus is split between managing an intense personal and professional situation and laying the groundwork for a massive 2026 comeback, all while prioritizing her family life away from the Hollywood spotlight.

Blake Lively: A Complete Biographical Profile

Blake Ellender Brown, professionally known as Blake Lively, has built a career that transcends acting, establishing herself as a successful director, producer, and entrepreneur. Her journey from a California native with deep ties to the entertainment industry to a global style icon is a testament to her versatile talent and business acumen.

• Full Name: Blake Ellender Brown
• Date of Birth: August 25, 1987
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 38
• Birthplace: Tarzana, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Parents: Ernie Lively (Actor) and Elaine Lively (Talent Manager)
• Spouse: Ryan Reynolds (m. 2012)
• Children: James Reynolds, Inez Reynolds, Betty Reynolds, and a fourth child, Olin Reynolds (names and gender are often kept private, but reports suggest three daughters and one son, Olin)
• Notable Roles: Serena van der Woodsen in *Gossip Girl*, Bridget Vreeland in *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants*, Emily Nelson in *A Simple Favor*, and Adaline Bowman in *The Age of Adaline*.
• Other Ventures: Founder of the non-alcoholic mixer company Betty Buzz.

Lively’s acting career began early, appearing in her father’s directorial project, *Sandman* (1998). Her breakthrough arrived with the coming-of-age film *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants* in 2005, followed by her career-defining role as the glamorous, troubled Serena van der Woodsen on the CW series *Gossip Girl* (2007–2012). Since then, she has carefully selected roles, moving into thrillers like *The Shallows* and the neo-noir mystery *A Simple Favor*.

The Turbulent 2025: Legal Drama and A Family Retreat

The year 2025 has been marked by significant professional stress for Blake Lively, largely due to a messy and prolonged legal battle surrounding the production of her 2024 film, *It Ends with Us*. The film, based on the Colleen Hoover novel, saw Lively star opposite and be directed by Justin Baldoni, and their relationship quickly devolved into a public and complex legal dispute.

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The High-Stakes Justin Baldoni Lawsuit

The legal showdown between Lively and Baldoni has dominated entertainment headlines throughout 2025, involving a barrage of lawsuits, countersuits, and highly sensitive allegations, including claims of sexual harassment. The situation has been described by sources as a "turbulent" period for the actress and her family. While Lively reportedly scored a major victory in June 2025 with the dismissal of one lawsuit, the main court trial remains a significant cloud over her career.

Originally slated for a 2025 trial date, the court battle has been officially postponed. The highly anticipated trial that would pit the two stars against each other is now scheduled for May 18, 2026. This delay offers Lively a temporary reprieve but extends the period of uncertainty, making her upcoming projects and personal decisions even more critical.

Prioritizing Family: The "Off-The-Grid" Plan

Amidst the legal turmoil and a demanding production schedule, Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, have made a conscious decision to step away from the relentless pace of Hollywood. Reports indicate that the couple is planning to take their family, including their four children—James, Inez, Betty, and Olin—"off the grid" in 2025. This planned hiatus is a clear move to shield their children from the intense public scrutiny surrounding the Baldoni case and to prioritize their marriage and family life after a year of major professional and personal challenges.

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The decision underscores the couple’s commitment to maintaining a sense of normalcy and privacy, a theme that has characterized their relationship since they met while filming *Green Lantern* in 2011 and married in a private ceremony in 2012.

New Projects and Career Pivots: The Post-Trial Slate

Despite the ongoing legal drama, Blake Lively has firmly cemented her return to major projects, securing roles that signal an exciting new direction: a pivot toward action-comedy and the thriller genre, often coupled with a production role. This strategic move allows her greater creative control and better utilizes her influence as a bankable star and entrepreneur.

1. The Survival List: Action-Rom-Com Lead

Lively is set to both star in the lead role and produce a new action romantic comedy titled *'The Survival List'* for Lionsgate. This project marks her first major film announcement following the release of *It Ends With Us* and the subsequent legal fallout. The action-rom-com genre is a fresh territory for Lively, promising a blend of her comedic timing and the physical demands seen in films like *The Shallows*. By taking on a producer role, Lively is actively shaping her own narrative and career path.

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2. Dark Days at the Magna Carta: Netflix Thriller Trilogy

Another major project on Lively’s slate is the post-apocalyptic thriller *'Dark Days at the Magna Carta,'* which is currently in development at Netflix. The project is being eyed as a potential trilogy, a massive commitment that could anchor her career for years. Securing a project of this scale with a streaming giant like Netflix demonstrates her enduring star power and the industry's confidence in her ability to lead a major franchise.

3. The Absence at the 2024 Met Gala

While not a project, a significant moment that defined her public image in 2024 was her absence from the Met Gala. Lively is famously known as a co-chair and one of the best-dressed celebrities at the event, often delivering looks that perfectly capture the theme, such as her Statue of Liberty-inspired Versace gown in 2022. Her decision to skip the 2024 event was mourned by fashion fans and widely discussed, highlighting the immense impact her public appearances have on pop culture and style commentary.

4. Betty Buzz Expansion

Beyond acting, Lively continues to expand her entrepreneurial footprint with Betty Buzz, her line of non-alcoholic mixers. The company, launched in 2021, has seen steady growth, capitalizing on the rising trend of "sober curious" consumers and quality cocktail ingredients. Her work as a founder and creative director for Betty Buzz showcases her business savvy and topical authority in the lifestyle sector, providing a successful alternative career venture separate from the turbulence of Hollywood.

In summary, Blake Lively’s 2025 has been a year of intense contrasts: a high-profile legal battle that pushed her to the brink, followed by a strategic retreat with her family and the announcement of two major, career-defining film projects. With the Baldoni trial now set for 2026, the stage is set for a massive comeback, confirming that the actress is not just surviving the storm but actively producing her next, most powerful chapter.