Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: Judge warns against media trial, threatens early trial date

A judge warns against media influence in Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni case, threatening to move March 2026 trial date.

A federal judge warns Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal teams against media influence, threatening to move the trial date.

The March 2026 trial stems from Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment against Baldoni during the filming of It Ends With Us and his counter $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane.

Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, argued in court that his client has suffered "hundreds of millions of dollars in damages" due to Lively’s claims and the alleged media smear campaign. However, Judge Lewis J. Liman imposed strict restrictions on public statements from both parties to ensure an unbiased jury.

Lively and Reynolds’ attorney, Michael Gottlieb, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating, "This case deals with serious allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation. We will hold the defendants accountable."

Neither Lively, Reynolds, nor Baldoni were present in court. However, tensions ran high as both legal teams accused each other of manipulating the media narrative. Freedman contended that Lively collaborated with The New York Times for their December exposé on Hollywood smear tactics, while Lively’s lawyers sought a protective order against Freedman’s extrajudicial statements.

Judge Liman also criticized Baldoni’s legal team for attaching a 168-page narrative timeline to the lawsuit, questioning its relevance. Additionally, Baldoni’s attorneys revealed plans to withdraw a $250 million Los Angeles lawsuit and instead added The New York Times as a defendant in the $400 million defamation case.

With further depositions and filings expected, this legal battle is set to dominate headlines well before it reaches the courtroom.