5 Shocking Revelations About The Blake Lively Vs. Justin Baldoni Lawsuit: The 'It Ends With Us' Legal Battle Timeline

The professional relationship between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, once a seemingly perfect on-screen pairing for the blockbuster adaptation of Colleen Hoover's *It Ends With Us*, has dissolved into one of Hollywood's most explosive and high-profile legal battles. As of December 10, 2025, the central focus is the upcoming civil trial in New York federal court, where Lively has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against her co-star and director, Baldoni. The controversy has overshadowed the film's massive success, turning a celebrated romance drama into a legal spectacle with a dramatic timeline that continues to unfold.

The latest and most critical development is the judge's decision to push back the trial date, which was originally scheduled for March 2026. The new, definitive date for the court showdown is now set for May 2026, granting both legal teams additional time to prepare for a case that involves serious allegations of misconduct and a subsequent defamation countersuit. This delay only heightens the anticipation for a legal resolution that will ultimately define the professional futures of both major stars.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni: A Brief Biographical Profile

The legal dispute involves two prominent figures known for their work across film and television. Understanding their established careers provides context to the gravity of the allegations and the public scrutiny surrounding the case.

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Blake Lively (Lily Bloom in *It Ends With Us*)

• Full Name: Blake Ellender Brown (Professionally known as Blake Lively)
• Born: August 25, 1987, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Lively rose to international fame as Serena van der Woodsen in the CW teen drama *Gossip Girl* (2007–2012). Her notable film roles include *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants* (2005), *The Town* (2010), *Savages* (2012), and the critically acclaimed lead role in *The Age of Adaline* (2015). She is also an entrepreneur, having founded the non-alcoholic beverage company Betty Buzz.

Justin Baldoni (Ryle Kincaid in *It Ends With Us*)

• Full Name: Justin Louis Baldoni
• Born: January 24, 1984, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Baldoni is an American actor, director, and filmmaker. He is best known for portraying Rafael Solano on the CW satirical telenovela *Jane the Virgin* (2014–2019). As a director, he helmed the successful romantic drama *Five Feet Apart* (2019) and the biographical musical drama *Clouds* (2020). He also starred as Ryle Kincaid in the 2024 film *It Ends With Us*, which he also directed and executive produced.

The Explosive Details: Blake Lively's Sexual Harassment Allegations

The core of the legal conflict stems from the production of the 2024 film *It Ends With Us*, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel. Lively, who played the protagonist Lily Bloom, filed a lawsuit detailing a pattern of alleged sexual harassment by Baldoni, who played her abusive husband, Ryle Kincaid, and served as the film's director.

The legal documents, filed in New York federal court in December 2024, outline several disturbing claims. Lively alleges that Baldoni repeatedly crossed professional boundaries during their time on set. Specific allegations include Baldoni allegedly showing the actress unwanted pornographic images and requesting the inclusion of more explicit sexual scenes than were originally scripted, creating a hostile work environment.

The lawsuit claims that Baldoni's alleged actions were not isolated incidents but a persistent pattern that led Lively to seek legal protection against him and a producer involved in the film. This bombshell complaint immediately sent shockwaves through the industry, raising serious questions about the professional conduct of a director who also starred opposite his accuser in a deeply sensitive film about domestic violence.

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A Timeline of Legal Counter-Attacks and Trial Delays

The legal battle quickly escalated beyond the initial harassment claim, with a dramatic back-and-forth that solidified the conflict as a major Hollywood drama. The public has been tracking every development, from the initial accusations to the latest court postponement.

1. December 2024: The Lawsuit and Countersuit

Lively officially filed her sexual harassment lawsuit in New York federal court on December 31, 2024. This came shortly after an exposé by The New York Times brought the allegations to public light. In a stunning counter-move, Justin Baldoni, vehemently refuting the claims, sued *The New York Times* for defamation, seeking a staggering $250 million in compensation.

2. The Dismissal of Baldoni’s Countersuit

A key moment in the legal proceedings occurred when Baldoni's $400 million countersuit against Lively was dismissed by the presiding judge. Baldoni's attorney publicly reacted to the dismissal, labeling Lively's perceived victory as "false" and indicating the legal team's intent to continue fighting the allegations.

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3. The May 2026 Trial Postponement

The most recent and definitive update is the postponement of the civil trial. Originally slated to begin in March 2026, the judge in the U.S. District Court has delayed the proceedings by two months. The new trial date is now scheduled for May 2026. This delay is a significant development, as it pushes the ultimate resolution of the *It Ends With Us* legal chapter further into the future, keeping the controversy in the public eye for longer.

The Impact on 'It Ends With Us' and Topical Authority

The film *It Ends With Us*, based on Colleen Hoover's global phenomenon, was a major box office success in 2024, reportedly grossing $350 million. Despite the film's financial triumph, the controversy has created a complex legacy. The on-set drama and subsequent legal filings have inextricably linked the movie's success with the serious nature of the allegations.

The case touches on critical topical entities within the entertainment industry, including the Me Too movement, on-set power dynamics, the role of intimacy coordinators (or lack thereof), and the legal recourse available to actors against directors and co-stars. The forthcoming trial in May 2026 is expected to delve deeply into these issues, with both Lively and Baldoni prepared to argue their cases in a highly scrutinized public forum. The legal proceedings will not only determine the veracity of the claims but also set a precedent for how such high-profile cases of alleged workplace misconduct are handled in Hollywood.