Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: Court Battle Heats Up With Depositions & Lawsuits
The glitzy world of Hollywood is no stranger to drama, but few off-screen feuds have captured public attention quite like the ongoing legal storm between actress Blake Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. What began as a whisper of set tensions has escalated into full-blown courtroom confrontation, featuring multiple lawsuits, heated depositions, subpoenas to high-profile figures, and court rulings that continue to reshape the narrative.
The Spark: Allegations & Counterclaims
The controversy erupted in December 2024, when Lively filed a formal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. She accused Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and associated PR teams of fostering a hostile work environment through sexual harassment and orchestrating a “social manipulation” campaign to tarnish her reputation People.com+15Wikipedia+15Sky News+15News.com.au+9ABC News+9ABC News+9.
Just days later, Baldoni’s attorney fiercely denied the allegations, calling them “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious” Wikipedia+1.
Undeterred, on December 31, 2024, Lively escalated her legal approach by filing a federal lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer, and two PR representatives, alleging federal and California state law violations related to retaliation and emotional distress The Independent+15Wikipedia+15People.com+15.
In retaliation, Baldoni struck back on January 16, 2025, filing a staggering $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist—charging them with civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. His suit alleged that Lively attempted to manipulate creative control over the film and threatened false claims to solidify her agenda New York Post+9Wikipedia+9Wikipedia+9.
Legal Maneuvering & Defamation Drama
Both parties immediately began filing motions to dismiss or strike claims. The New York Times and publicist Leslie Sloane were also entangled in Baldoni’s suit, though motions to dismiss those claims gained traction quickly AOL+15Wikipedia+15News.com.au+15.
Then, in a pivotal ruling on June 9, 2025, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni’s entire countersuit, stating that Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment were “legally protected”—a shield against defamation claims—and that the New York Times had reported responsibly, even if dramatized Yahoo News UK+11Miscelana+11Wikipedia+11. Around the same time, Baldoni’s request to subpoena Taylor Swift was quashed by the court, labeling it an abuse of process Wikipedia+2The Times of India+2.
The Deposition Showdown: Leaks, Seals, and Strikes
With the countermove crushed, the focus shifted to discovery—and depositions.
Lively’s deposition was initially scheduled for July 17, 2025, but was postponed to July 31 after a protective order was entered ABC News.
On that day, Lively faced intense questioning in a private setting in New York City, attended by Baldoni himself. Rumors of a “face-to-face showdown” instantly seized the headlines—reports her legal team later called a deliberate media spin Sky News+15E! Online+15The Independent+15.
In the transcript, Lively accused Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman of running a smear campaign, stating it “doesn’t feel like it’s ended” Yahoo+4Page Six+4ABC News+4.
Outrage escalated when Baldoni’s team uploaded the 292-page deposition transcript to the public court docket—steps Lively’s side claimed were meant to spark a media frenzy Vulture+3People.com+3Marie Claire UK+3.
Judge Liman agreed with Lively, striking the full transcript from the public record, keeping it sealed, and chastising Baldoni’s team for injecting sensationalism into court proceedings People.com+2Marie Claire UK+2.
Subpoenas & Side Dramas
As the legal fight deepened, Isabela Ferrer, the actress who portrayed the younger version of Lively’s character, became embroiled in the drama. Lively’s team subpoenaed her in February 2025, followed by additional requests from Baldoni in July ABC News+4Cinemablend+4The Times of India+4.
Ferrer responded by accusing Baldoni’s legal team of harassment and seeking sanctions to block his subpoena The Times of India+3People.com+3Cinemablend+3.
The Stakes Ahead
Despite the defamation counterclaim being dismissed, Lively’s original lawsuit remains active. The trial is currently scheduled for March 2026 in New York Wikipedia+7People.com+7Marie Claire UK+7.
Meanwhile, public sentiment remains divided. Fans have reacted strongly—some criticizing Lively amid the feud, while others staunchly back her. Her new rom‑com The Survival List, produced by Lionsgate, has faced backlash, with comments pointedly referencing the legal fallout EW.com+2Page Six+2.
Summary: What’s Backing Each Side?
| Party | Allegations & Legal Strategy | Key Legal Gains |
|---|---|---|
| Blake Lively | Filed for sexual harassment and smear campaign. Seeking redress against Baldoni, Wayfarer, and PR reps. | Deposition transcript sealed; Baldoni’s countersuit dismissed; trial pending. |
| Justin Baldoni | Countersued for defamation, extortion, invasion of privacy; claimed Lively sabotaged his career. | Initially brought a high-stakes countersuit; publicized timelines and documents. But ultimately defeated in motion. |
| Court | Juggling discovery, depositions, public filings, and media leaks. | Ruled in favor of privacy; kept courts out of PR warfare; disposed of defamation countersuit. |
Looking Toward March 2026
This court battle is far from over. While Lively has so far secured several legal victories and kept sensitive information under wraps, the ultimate verdict still lies ahead. The upcoming trial could have major implications—not only legally, but reputationally for everyone involved.
As both sides prepare to face off in court next year, the courtroom may soon replace social media as the ultimate battleground for this high-profile Hollywood clash.
