5 Shocking Twists In The Blake Lively Vs. Justin Baldoni Lawsuit: The Latest Complaint And Trial Status

The legal battle between Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has intensified dramatically in late 2025, revealing a complex and bitter feud that originated on the set of their film, *It Ends With Us*. As of today, December 10, 2025, the core of the dispute remains Blake Lively's multi-million dollar lawsuit against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, alleging sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. The "new complaint" refers to her amended filings and vigorous legal responses to Baldoni's attempts to dismiss the case, keeping the high-profile scandal firmly in the spotlight ahead of a significantly delayed trial date. The entire controversy has exposed the volatile dynamics behind the scenes of the highly anticipated movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, *It Ends With Us*. The public filings detail a startling back-and-forth of accusations, with Lively alleging misconduct and retaliation, and Baldoni's side countering with claims that Lively used threats and false allegations to gain creative control over the project.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni: Comprehensive Profile and Biography

The legal drama pits two major figures in the entertainment industry against each other. Understanding their backgrounds provides essential context to the high-stakes nature of this ongoing lawsuit.

Blake Ellender Lively (Plaintiff)

• Birth Name: Blake Ellender Brown
• Born: August 25, 1987, in Tarzana, California, U.S.
• Age: 38 (as of late 2025)
• Profession: Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur (Founder of Betty Buzz)
• Key Works: *Gossip Girl* (Serena van der Woodsen), *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants*, *The Town*, *A Simple Favor*, *The Age of Adaline*.
• Personal Life: Married to actor Ryan Reynolds; the couple has four children.
• Role in Controversy: Star and Executive Producer of *It Ends With Us*; Plaintiff in the sexual harassment and misconduct lawsuit.

Justin Louis Baldoni (Defendant)

• Birth Name: Justin Louis Baldoni
• Born: January 24, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. (raised in Medford, Oregon)
• Age: 41 (as of late 2025)
• Profession: Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Author, Producer (Co-founder of Wayfarer Studios)
• Key Works: *Jane the Virgin* (Rafael Solano), Director of *Five Feet Apart* and *Clouds*, Host of *Man Enough* podcast.
• Role in Controversy: Director and Co-star (Ryle Kincaid) of *It Ends With Us*; Defendant in Lively's lawsuit; previously filed a $400 million defamation countersuit.

The Core Allegations: What the New Complaint Reveals

Blake Lively’s initial lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court, and subsequent amended complaints, lay out a detailed account of the alleged misconduct and the subsequent fallout during the production of the film *It Ends With Us*. The "new complaint," which refers to the updated and consolidated legal filing, re-emphasizes several critical claims.

1. Claims of Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct

Lively's legal team has alleged that Justin Baldoni engaged in a pattern of inappropriate behavior on the set of the romantic drama. The complaint specifically references instances of alleged sexual harassment, which reportedly included comments, physical proximity, and a general atmosphere of discomfort. The filing suggests that the behavior was not isolated to Lively but contributed to a toxic and hostile work environment for multiple women on the set.

2. Retaliation and Campaign to "Destroy" Reputation

A significant component of the lawsuit is the claim of retaliation. Lively alleges that after she spoke up internally about the alleged misconduct, Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios initiated a campaign to undermine her reputation and professional standing. This alleged smear campaign is a central element of her claim for damages, suggesting a deliberate attempt to silence her and damage her career following the initial complaints.

3. The 'Avoid Accountability' Filing

One of the most recent and pointed filings from Lively's legal team was a direct response to Baldoni's motion to dismiss the case. Lively’s lawyers argued that Baldoni was attempting to "avoid accountability" for his actions. This filing is the most recent "new complaint" in the public eye, framing the legal battle as a fight for justice against a powerful figure trying to use legal maneuvers to escape scrutiny.

The Shocking Legal Back-and-Forth: Baldoni’s Counter-Claims and Dismissals

The legal drama has not been one-sided, with Baldoni and his team launching aggressive counter-actions that have since resulted in a major victory for Lively.

Twist 1: The $400 Million Defamation Countersuit

In a dramatic turn, Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios filed a massive $400 million defamation countersuit against Blake Lively. Baldoni’s side alleged that Lively fabricated or exaggerated the sexual harassment claims and used the threat of withdrawal from the film to gain an unprecedented level of creative control over the production. This countersuit painted Lively as the aggressor, manipulating the situation for professional gain.

Twist 2: The Judge Formally Ends Baldoni’s Countersuit

In a major legal win for Blake Lively, a judge formally closed Justin Baldoni's $400 million defamation case. While the reasons for the closure were complex, the outcome means Baldoni's attempt to sue Lively for defamation is officially over, allowing Lively's original lawsuit to proceed without the immediate threat of the massive counter-claim hanging over her. This ruling reinforced the focus back onto the misconduct allegations.

Twist 3: The Motion for Summary Judgment

Despite the dismissal of his countersuit, Baldoni and his legal team have remained on the offensive. They recently filed a motion for summary judgment, a legal maneuver that asks the judge to dismiss Lively's entire case before it even reaches a jury trial. Baldoni's argument is that based on the evidence, there are no genuine issues of material fact that warrant a trial, and therefore, the case should be thrown out immediately. This is the latest crucial legal development in the ongoing feud.

Current Status and The May 2026 Trial Postponement

The legal battle is currently in a holding pattern as the court considers Baldoni’s motion for summary judgment. However, the most definitive update for the public is the significant delay to the trial itself.

Trial Date Pushed to May 2026

Originally, the civil trial was set to begin in early 2026, but a judge has postponed the long-set start date. The high-profile trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York is now tentatively scheduled to begin in May 2026. This lengthy delay means the final resolution of the sexual harassment claims and the accusations of a hostile work environment will not be decided for over a year.

The Stakes for Hollywood and Wayfarer Studios

The outcome of this lawsuit carries enormous weight, not just for the careers of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, but for the entire industry. The case involves topical issues like workplace misconduct, the power dynamics between a director/co-star and a lead actress, and the role of production companies like Wayfarer Studios in ensuring a safe set. The legal proceedings will undoubtedly set a precedent for how the entertainment industry handles high-profile allegations of sexual harassment and professional retaliation in the post-#MeToo era. Entities involved, including the court, the film’s financial backers, and the public, are closely monitoring the developments. The legal saga, which began with the production of *It Ends With Us*, has evolved into a key test case for celebrity accountability.