Lively-Baldoni dispute narrows ahead of trial

Lawyers set for final hearing as retaliation claims move forward in 'It Ends With Us' case

NEW YORK:

Lawyers for actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are due in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday for a final hearing ahead of a closely watched civil trial stemming from Lively's allegations linked to the filming of the 2024 romantic drama 'It Ends With Us'.

The civil trial, scheduled to begin in May, will be limited to Lively's retaliation claims against Baldoni's production company after a judge dismissed her sexual harassment allegations earlier this month. Both actors are expected to testify as the case moves forward following more than a year of contentious and widely publicised litigation.

Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios, have strongly denied Lively's allegations. He was dismissed as a defendant in US District Judge Lewis Liman's April 2 ruling, which struck out Lively's sexual harassment claims. The latest hearing was expected to focus on legal arguments concerning potential damages and the admissibility of evidence ahead of trial.

Lively, known for her role in the television series 'Gossip Girl', alleged in her 2024 lawsuit that Baldoni used his position as director and co-star of 'It Ends With Us' to foster a sexually charged environment that marginalised women, and then initiated a smear campaign against her after she raised concerns.

She filed suit in December 2024 against Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and others, seeking damages for alleged harassment, defamation, invasion of privacy, and violations of federal and state civil rights laws. Baldoni, 42, has maintained that he addressed Lively's concerns, when they were raised.

He argued that he was entitled to hire a crisis management firm after she publicly criticised him. He also filed a $400 million countersuit accusing Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, of attempting to damage his reputation. That case was dismissed by Judge Liman in June. The upcoming trial is expected to centre on whether Lively faced retaliation after raising her complaints, narrowing the scope of what had initially been a broader legal battle between the two actors.