Justin Baldoni, the actor and producer best known for his role in It Ends With Us, is reportedly “devastated” over the ongoing legal battle with his co-star Blake Lively, according to Baldoni’s attorney. During a pre-trial conference on Monday, February 3, lawyer Bryan Freedman shed light on the emotional and financial toll the lawsuits are having on Baldoni and his associates.
Freedman, who represents Baldoni as well as It Ends With Us producers Jamey Heath and Steve Sarowitz, their production company Wayfarer Studios, and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, described the current situation as “devastating.” He stated that Baldoni and his team have been deeply affected both financially and emotionally by the legal proceedings.
In addition to expressing his clients’ distress, Freedman referenced the challenges of navigating high-profile legal battles, saying, “Not to sound like a 4-year-old fighting a 4-year-old with ‘they started it,’ but in these kinds of cases, once someone says something, it becomes fact. There’s no way to fight against it.”
The Legal Battle Between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively
The feud between Baldoni and Lively dates back to January 2024, when Baldoni filed a $400 million counter-lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicists. The lawsuit, which accuses Lively’s team of civil extortion, defamation, and other charges, followed a bombshell complaint filed by Lively against Baldoni. In her legal filing, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, as well as orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign against her.
Lively’s complaint detailed that Baldoni’s alleged behavior during the production of It Ends With Us and its subsequent promotional efforts caused her “grief, fear, trauma and extreme anxiety.” She is seeking unspecified damages for “intentional infliction of emotional distress” and “interference” in her business ventures, including her Blake Brown haircare brand.
In a statement to The New York Times on December 20, Lively explained, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
The Fallout From Lively’s Allegations
Baldoni’s team has been vocal about the significant consequences they claim to have faced following Lively’s initial complaint. In a letter submitted to the judge, Baldoni’s lawyers argued that he and his associates had been “exiled from polite society” and suffered “damages totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.” They also described the fallout as “utterly calamitous,” claiming that Baldoni and his team had become “objects of public scorn and contempt” as a result of the allegations.
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Sources close to Baldoni have reportedly said that he lost “three jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars” due to the negative publicity surrounding the case. In an article detailing one of Baldoni’s upcoming projects, Pac-Man, The Hollywood Reporter cited these sources, highlighting the severe financial impact the lawsuit has had on Baldoni’s career and the operations of his production company, Wayfarer Studios.
Legal Proceedings and Gag Order Request
The legal drama is set to continue with the case now scheduled for trial in March 2026. At the pre-trial conference, New York Judge Lewis Liman warned both legal teams to refrain from making public statements that could influence potential jurors. The issue of a gag order has been a key topic, as Lively’s legal team has requested that all parties involved refrain from sharing information with the press that could prejudice a jury.
In a statement following the hearing, Lively’s attorneys, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “We are pleased with the result of today’s hearing and eager to move forward immediately with discovery in this case,” they said. “The court granted our request that all attorneys in the matter actually follow the rule of law and not make any statements that could prejudice a jury.”
Baldoni’s Public Response
Despite the gag order request, Baldoni’s legal team has been active in providing information to the public. His attorneys have leaked video footage from the It Ends With Us set and launched a website, thelawsuitinfo.com, which links to Baldoni’s legal documents related to the ongoing case. This has led to further tensions between the two camps, with each side accusing the other of unfairly influencing the public perception of the case.
Baldoni’s legal actions, particularly the launch of the website, have sparked further debate about the ethics of handling such a high-profile dispute in the media. While Baldoni’s team argues that they are merely defending their client’s reputation, Lively’s side contends that such moves are part of a broader strategy to discredit her.
A Divisive Legal Battle
As the case heads toward a trial in 2026, both Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively’s legal teams will continue to spar over issues of defamation, emotional distress, and professional interference. The outcome of this case will not only impact the careers of those directly involved but could also send a broader message about how the entertainment industry handles allegations of harassment and misconduct.
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For now, both sides remain locked in a legal struggle that has drawn significant public attention. With the potential for a lengthy and costly court battle, it remains to be seen how the situation will evolve and whether a resolution will come before the trial date. As of now, the legal teams are focused on preparing for what promises to be a high-stakes courtroom showdown in 2026.