Actress Blake Lively is vigorously contesting an attempt by her co-star and director Justin Baldoni to have her high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit thrown out of court. The legal battle, which has cast a shadow over their film It Ends With Us, is now set for a pivotal judicial decision.
Legal Standoff Intensifies as Trial Date Looms
In November, Baldoni's attorneys filed a motion for summary judgment, asking the judge to dismiss Lively's case entirely and avoid a trial scheduled for March 2026. Lively, 38, initiated the lawsuit in December 2024, accusing Baldoni, 41, of sexual harassment and retaliation during production – allegations he has consistently denied. A $400 million countersuit from Baldoni, which alleged extortion and defamation, was dismissed by a judge earlier this year.
On Thursday, Lively's legal team filed their formal opposition to Baldoni's motion. In documents obtained by the Daily Mail, her lawyers argued the case must proceed to a jury. They framed the dispute as far more than creative differences, stating it is instead "one of a toxic work environment" created on set.
Allegations of Power Imbalance and "DARVO" Tactics
Lively's filing accuses Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, of attempting to evade accountability by painting her as the aggressor. Her attorneys claim the defendants are "peddling their victimization narrative" to shield themselves from trial. They further allege Baldoni employed "DARVO strategies" – a manipulative tactic involving Denying wrongdoing, Attacking the victim, and Reversing the roles of Victim and Offender.
The documents emphasise the power dynamic, noting that while Lively is a major star, Baldoni was her boss on the project with "a total consolidation of power" over her working conditions. This power, they argue, threatened her ability to perform her job effectively.
Lively's claims are extensive, encompassing sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and lost wages.
Deleted Scene and Reynolds' Involvement Add Complexity
The case has seen several dramatic twists. Baldoni's team submitted a deleted scene from the film as evidence, contending it shows Lively improvising a kiss with him – an act she has cited as part of her harassment claims. His legal filing argues she "oversaw" the scene and added the unscripted kiss herself.
Furthermore, Baldoni's earlier motion revealed text messages suggesting Lively's husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, became involved. In texts to colleague Rainn Wilson, Baldoni described feeling "emotionally paralyzed" and "ambushed" after a January 2024 confrontation with Reynolds, whom he said scolded him "like a five-year-old." Baldoni's lawyers characterised this as an "inappropriate and humiliating berating."
It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover's novel, was a commercial success, earning $350 million globally. However, its legacy is now dominated by these acrimonious legal proceedings. Both parties have denied all allegations made against them. The court must now decide whether Lively's claims will indeed have their day before a jury in 2026.
