Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds informed a federal judge on Thursday of their intention to seek the dismissal of a defamation lawsuit filed by Justin Baldoni. This legal move marks the latest chapter in the ongoing case, with both Lively and Reynolds poised to challenge the allegations.
According to reports from Variety, attorneys representing both sides are scheduled for the initial court hearing on Monday regarding the ongoing dispute between the two It Ends With Us co-stars. Blake Lively has accused Justin Baldoni, who directed the film, of sexual harassment on set and alleges that he launched a smear campaign against her in retaliation after she spoke out about the incident.
Following Judge Lewis Liman's directive, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' legal team filed a motion notice on Thursday, outlining the next steps for the federal case. The judge had previously requested a brief letter indicating the defendant’s intention to file a motion to dismiss, which was submitted by their attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, in a straightforward manner.
Blake Lively has accused Justin Baldoni, who also served as the director of It Ends With Us, of sexually harassing her on set. She further claims that when she spoke out about the alleged misconduct, Baldoni retaliated by orchestrating a smear campaign against her.
In response, Baldoni and his publicists have refuted the allegations, arguing that Lively misrepresented their interactions by taking text messages out of context. Additionally, Baldoni asserts that Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, exerted pressure on the talent agency WME to sever ties with him. However, WME has denied any such interference.
During Monday’s hearing, both parties are set to debate the out-of-court actions of Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman.
The judge has proposed setting a trial date for March 2026 and has instructed both parties to submit a plan ensuring the case proceeds accordingly. In a rare instance of consensus, legal representatives from both sides have expressed no objections to merging the two federal cases into a single trial.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni starred together in the film It Ends With Us, based on the book of the same name by Colleen Hoover.
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