On January 22, 2026, Justin Baldoni’s legal team requested a New York federal judge to dismiss actress Blake Lively’s lawsuit related to their 2024 film It Ends With Us. The case centers on allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation on the movie’s set, with Baldoni’s lawyers arguing that Lively’s claims amount to “petty slights” unworthy of continuing legal action. This development follows Lively’s initial complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024 and adds new tension to a high-profile dispute that has captured significant public attention.
Blake Lively has accused Baldoni, both the film’s director and co-star, as well as his production company Wayfarer Studios, of fostering a hostile, sexually charged atmosphere on set that marginalized women. The lawsuit also asserts that these defendants attempted to silence her and others from speaking out about the environment during filming. US District Judge Lewis Liman presided over three hours of legal arguments in Manhattan but has not yet announced a ruling on whether the lawsuit will move forward. The trial is set to begin on May 18, 2026.
Defense calls allegations minor and denies discrimination claims
During the hearing, Baldoni’s lawyer Jonathan Bach described the lawsuit as being grounded in “small potatoes” and “trivial things and petty slights,” urging the court to dismiss the claims. Bach emphasized the importance of context, noting that the film’s mature themes—such as a hospital birth scene involving nudity—were part of the artistic vision and not evidence of discrimination. He argued that while sexuality may have been present on set, it does not justify continuing the case unless it was used to discriminate against women.
“It’s not enough to show that sex or sexuality found its way into the workplace,”
Bach stated.
“Their burden is to show that it not only entered the workplace, but was used to discriminate against women.”
When the judge pointed out that many small incidents can accumulate into something significant, Bach maintained that the legal threshold for discrimination was not met by Lively’s allegations.
Lively’s lawyer details inappropriate conduct and boundary crossing
Opposing the dismissal, Blake Lively’s attorney Esra Hudson argued that Baldoni’s behavior went beyond artistic license and consistently overstepped professional boundaries. Hudson highlighted specific incidents, such as Baldoni allegedly pressuring Lively to simulate nudity unnecessarily during the birth scene and a dance sequence where he reportedly “nuzzled” Lively without consent. These moments, Hudson asserted, visibly discomforted Lively and contributed to an unwelcome working environment.
“You can see the look on her face,”
Hudson said.
“She is clearly having her boundaries crossed in that moment … She did not think this should be a hot and sexy movie at all.”
Judge Liman challenged the arguments by questioning how much a director’s decisions are subject to legal scrutiny, noting that applying a jury’s judgement to every creative choice would be impractical. The judge also raised questions about the responsibility of other defendants involved in the case, including Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath, regarding the alleged conduct on set.
In response to defense efforts to dismiss the suit, Lively’s lawyer emphasized that Baldoni addressed her concerns once they were raised and that he only hired a crisis management firm after she began speaking out publicly.
Prior lawsuits between Baldoni and Lively dismissed by the court
The public confrontation escalated after Lively submitted her formal complaint in December 2024, triggering a series of legal actions and media scrutiny. Baldoni filed a countersuit for US$400 million accusing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of harming his reputation. This countersuit, along with a related US$250 million defamation case Baldoni brought against The New York Times—centered on an article outlining a supposed Hollywood smear campaign—were both dismissed by Judge Liman in June 2025.
Notably, the court has yet to decide on the sexual harassment and retaliation claims lodged by Lively, which remain pending. The ongoing dispute also drew attention involving other celebrities like singer Taylor Swift, who exchanged texts with Lively describing her situation with Baldoni as
“a horror film no one knows is taking place.”
Box office success contrasts with behind-the-scenes conflict
Despite the legal turmoil, the film It Ends With Us received mixed critical reviews but achieved commercial success, grossing more than US$351 million worldwide. This box office performance underscores the contrast between the movie’s public reception and the serious allegations raised by Lively about its production environment.
Potential consequences and future developments in the case
The judge’s ruling on whether to dismiss Blake Lively’s lawsuit will be closely watched, as it will determine if the case moves to trial this spring. The decision has broader implications for how disputes over alleged misconduct on film sets are handled in the courts, especially in high-profile Hollywood productions. A trial could reveal further details about workplace conditions during the filming of It Ends With Us and might influence industry standards regarding workplace conduct and harassment.
