Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are scheduled to appear in court in March 2026, marking a climactic moment in the ongoing controversy surrounding their film It Ends With Us. The legal dispute, initially stemming from tensions during filming and promotion, escalated into a public battle involving allegations of sexual harassment and retaliatory actions. Central to this upcoming trial, Blake Lively has now given her deposition with Justin Baldoni present, setting the stage for a high-profile courtroom confrontation.
Deposition Reveals New Details Ahead of ‘It Ends With Us’ Court Date
On July 31, 2025, Blake Lively provided a deposition in New York City as part of the pre-trial process, with Justin Baldoni in attendance. Sources confirmed to TMZ that the director and co-star was present alongside their legal teams, a court reporter, and a videographer, despite depositions typically being private proceedings. This rare occurrence signals the intensity of the legal battle between the two actors as they prepare for their March 2026 trial.
The presence of both Lively and Baldoni in the same room during testimony suggests the trial will be closely contested, with each side eager to present their version of events surrounding the production and aftermath of It Ends With Us.
Blake Lively Expected to Testify in Upcoming Trial
Blake Lively’s attorney, Mike Gottlieb, confirmed in an interview with People that the actress will take the witness stand during the trial. He emphasized the importance of the trial as the primary platform for Lively’s story to be heard.
“The ultimate moment for a plaintiff’s story to be told is at trial,”
—Mike Gottlieb, Blake Lively’s lawyer
“We expect that to be the case here [with Lively]. So we would, of course, expect her to be a witness at her trial. Of course she’s going to testify.”
—Mike Gottlieb, Blake Lively’s lawyer
Gottlieb further explained that several individuals who witnessed or experienced misconduct related to Lively’s claims will also provide live testimony, aiming to shed light on the events that occurred on set.
“There are individuals that were witnesses to or experienced misconduct that is relevant to Ms. Lively’s claims [of inappropriate behavior on set],”
—Mike Gottlieb, Blake Lively’s lawyer
“We expect their testimony, particularly about what took place on set, will come out through live witness testimony.”
—Mike Gottlieb, Blake Lively’s lawyer
Addressing the broader context of the case, Gottlieb noted the distractions surrounding the legal conflict over the past nine months, stating that these have diverted attention away from what he views as the case’s central issue—retaliation against Lively for raising sexual harassment concerns.
“We think there have been a lot of distractions put up to deflect attention from the retaliation campaign that was launched against her,”
—Mike Gottlieb, Blake Lively’s lawyer
“And we expect and hope that in discovery we’ll have an opportunity to really focus on what we believe to be the core part of the case, which is that this retaliation campaign was launched against Ms. Lively for her having raised concerns about sexual harassment.”
—Mike Gottlieb, Blake Lively’s lawyer
Scheduled Date for the Highly Anticipated March 2026 Trial
The contentious trial between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively is formally set for March 2026. This upcoming legal battle is expected to resolve the highly publicized dispute that has unfolded since the filming of It Ends With Us, drawing significant attention from industry observers and fans alike.
Allegations: Blake Lively Accuses Justin Baldoni of Sexual Harassment
Blake Lively initiated legal action against Justin Baldoni following allegations of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us. In December 2024, The New York Times reported on Lively’s complaint, which accused Baldoni, along with his publicists and legal team, of orchestrating a smear campaign against her after the film’s release.
Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman dismissed the claims as
“false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt,”
defense attorney Freedman told People. Yet, Lively’s legal team firmly rejects the notion that this is a disagreement born from mere creative differences or conflicting stories.
“This is not a ‘feud’ arising from ‘creative differences’ or a ‘he said/she said’ situation.”
—Blake Lively’s legal team statement
“Sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in every workplace and in every industry. A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to ‘blame the victim’ by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied,”
—Blake Lively’s legal team statement
“Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender, and suggest that the offender is actually the victim. These concepts normalize and trivialize allegations of serious misconduct.”
—Blake Lively’s legal team statement
Justin Baldoni’s Defamation Lawsuit and Related Legal Actions
In response, Justin Baldoni filed a defamation lawsuit on January 16, 2025, targeting Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, their publicists, and The New York Times. This suit was paused in early March 2025. A spokesperson for The New York Times told E! News:
“We appreciate the court’s decision today, which recognizes the important First Amendment values at stake here. The court has stopped Mr. Baldoni from burdening The Times with discovery requests in a case that should never have been brought against.”
—Spokesperson for The New York Times
Further complicating the situation, Blake Lively faces a $7 million lawsuit from Jed Wallace, who she accused of participating in the alleged smear campaign. Wallace counters by demanding at least $7 million in damages, alongside a court order to clear his name of harassment and retaliation claims.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that Wallace claims he has suffered significant financial and reputational harm due to the lawsuit, asserting that Blake’s legal actions have cost his company millions.
“At least $7 million and a court order stating that he didn’t engage in harassment or retaliation against the actress,”
—According to The Hollywood Reporter regarding Jed Wallace’s lawsuit against Blake Lively
“Millions of dollars in reputational harm with a projected loss to his company that exceeds another million.”
—Page Six relaying Jed Wallace’s claims
Wallace also asserts that Blake Lively requested a court order allowing his deposition, despite his alleged non-involvement in the smear campaign, exacerbating his damages.
Extended Impact on ‘It Ends With Us’ Cast and Creators Amid Legal Turmoil
The ongoing legal conflict has reached beyond the primary parties, affecting the cast and author of It Ends With Us. Brandon Sklenar, a fellow cast member, has publicly commented on the situation, while author Colleen Hoover removed nearly all photos with the lead actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni from her social media profiles.
Another figure drawn into the drama is popstar Taylor Swift, a close friend of Blake Lively. Baldoni previously asserted that Swift was present during a key disagreement with Lively, increasing speculation about her potential involvement in the proceedings. According to TMZ, Swift has been officially subpoenaed as a witness for the trial.
However, a spokesperson for Swift issued a statement denying her connection to the movie’s production or controversy:
“Never set foot on the set of this movie, she was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film, she did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks after its public release, and was traveling around the globe during 2023 and 2024 headlining the biggest tour in history.”
—Spokesperson for Taylor Swift
Swift’s denial highlights the widespread attention this dispute has drawn and the complexities surrounding the trial, which may include testimony from unexpected witnesses outside the immediate film production team.
What Lies Ahead for the ‘It Ends With Us’ Case and Industry Impact
The March 2026 trial promises to bring more clarity to the allegations and counterclaims involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Their testimonies, along with those from other witnesses, will be closely examined to determine the validity of claims relating to sexual harassment and retaliation on set. The extensive legal battles also spotlight broader industry concerns about misconduct, retaliation, and the treatment of whistleblowers in Hollywood.
Given the media attention and the involvement of prominent figures such as Taylor Swift, as well as the public nature of the accusations, the trial could have lasting effects on workplace culture in the entertainment industry and the handling of sexual harassment complaints.
As the case unfolds, it will be essential to monitor not only the courtroom proceedings but also how the legal and public discussions influence policies and attitudes towards harassment and retaliation in film production environments. For now, all eyes are on New York City in March 2026, where the drama that has surrounded It Ends With Us will reach a critical juncture.
