A New York judge has set a trial date for March 2026 in the ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni. The judge also moved an initial conference to next week, responding to concerns raised by Lively’s legal team about attempts to sway the case.
Lively’s Legal Team Raises Concerns About Jury Influence
Lively’s lawyers allege that Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, is attempting to manipulate potential jurors. They argue that Freedman is trying to damage Lively’s reputation and public image by selectively releasing private documents between Lively and Baldoni. These actions, according to Lively’s team, pose a risk to the fairness of the trial by tainting the jury pool.
The legal team stated, “Bryan Freedman is engaging in an extrajudicial campaign to influence these proceedings and the public perception of legal filings to this Court, and there already is a serious risk that his misconduct is tainting the jury pool.”
Freedman Denies Allegations
Freedman responded to the accusations by rejecting the claims and expressing his disbelief. He stated that it is ironic that Lively, whom he believes fears the truth, is attempting to prevent it from being revealed. He emphasized that his team will continue to defend their clients using unedited facts, adding, “All we want is for people to see the actual text messages that directly contradict her allegations.”
Public Backlash and Defamation Allegations
Baldoni’s attorney, Kevin Fritz, also accused Lively of launching a media campaign that led to public contempt toward Baldoni and others involved. Fritz argued that Lively’s actions caused severe damage, including “exiling” the defendants from “polite society,” resulting in damages worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
New Legal Action Filed in Texas
In a separate legal move, Lively has filed a request for a deposition in Texas targeting Jed Wallace, a crisis management specialist. Lively’s legal team claims Wallace and his firm, Street Relations, played a central role in spreading negative sentiment online. They allege that Wallace’s company manipulated social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok to promote defamatory content.
While Wallace is mentioned in Lively’s federal lawsuit, he has not been named as a defendant yet. Freedman, representing Wallace, has not commented on these new allegations.
Lawsuits and Harassment Allegations
Lively initially filed a lawsuit in New York in December, accusing Baldoni and his production company of sexual harassment and defamation. She is seeking unspecified damages. Baldoni filed a counter lawsuit, accusing Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion. He is seeking at least $400 million in damages. The judge has suggested that the two lawsuits might be combined for trial.
Box Office Success Amid Controversy
It Ends With Us, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, was a box office success, debuting with $50 million. However, the film’s release has been overshadowed by ongoing speculation about the tension between Lively and Baldoni.
Background on the Stars
Blake Lively rose to fame with The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Gossip Girl. She has since starred in films such as The Town and The Shallows. Justin Baldoni, known for his role in Jane the Virgin, also directed Five Feet Apart and authored Man Enough, a book challenging traditional masculinity.
