Takeaways:
- Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds plan to file a motion to dismiss Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit.
- The case involves allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and industry retaliation.
- A trial is expected in March 2026, pending court proceedings and consolidation of cases.
- Both parties are disputing media statements made by their legal teams.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Respond to Defamation Lawsuit
Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have informed a federal judge that they will seek to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by actor and director Justin Baldoni. The legal battle stems from allegations of misconduct and professional retaliation during the production of It Ends With Us.
Attorneys for both sides will appear in court on Monday for the first hearing regarding the high-profile dispute. Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on set, claiming that after she spoke out, he launched a smear campaign against her. Baldoni and his team, however, argue that Lively misrepresented their interactions by taking text messages out of context.
Baldoni’s Counterclaims and Industry Fallout
In his lawsuit, Baldoni alleges that Lively and Reynolds pressured top talent agency WME to sever ties with him. WME has denied any involvement, stating that no external influence impacted their client decisions. Additionally, Baldoni claims that Lively’s statements have harmed his reputation and career prospects in Hollywood.
Legal Maneuvers and Upcoming Court Hearing
On Thursday, attorneys for Lively, Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane—who is also named in the lawsuit—filed notices to dismiss the claims. This follows an order from Judge Lewis Liman, who required defendants to state their intention in a single sentence.
“The Lively-Reynolds Parties intend to move to dismiss Plaintiffs’ complaint,” stated attorney Michael J. Gottlieb in compliance with the judge’s instructions.
The court has yet to set a deadline for the official dismissal motion, but Judge Liman has indicated that a trial is tentatively scheduled for March 2026. Additionally, both sides have agreed to consolidate related federal cases into one proceeding.
Pretrial Disputes and Deposition Issues
The legal teams are also clashing over attorney conduct and deposition rights. Lively’s legal team has accused Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, of making prejudicial public statements that could bias the jury pool. Freedman, in turn, argues that he has the right to publicly defend his client against what he calls Lively’s “media blitz.”
Further escalating tensions, Baldoni’s attorneys have requested to depose Lively immediately. However, they claim her legal team has objected to Freedman leading the deposition due to unspecified past statements he made.
“We are unaware of any situation that would warrant the deposed party to have a choice in which attorney takes her deposition,” stated Baldoni’s attorney Kevin Fritz. “Parties to litigation simply do not have the right to dictate which of their opponents’ attorneys may or may not take their deposition.”
This dispute is expected to be addressed during Monday’s hearing, further shaping the trajectory of this high-stakes legal battle.
