New York, February 11, 2026 — Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni came face-to-face in a Manhattan courtroom Wednesday, a rare public encounter as they attempt to settle a bitter dispute stemming from the 2024 film It Ends With Us. The meeting marks the first time the two have been in the same room in years.
A Courtroom Clash Over Creative Control and Conduct
The actors met with a magistrate judge in a last-ditch effort to avoid a trial related to accusations of a hostile work environment and alleged misconduct during the production of the hit romantic drama.
Justin Baldoni and Emily Baldoni arrive at New York Federal Courthouse for his trial against Blake Lively on February 11, 2026 in New York City.
Photo by XNY/Star Max/GC Images)
Both Lively and Baldoni arrived at the federal court in Manhattan sporting similar olive green attire—Lively in a suit, Baldoni in an overcoat—with subtle touches of pink adding an unexpected stylistic parallel. The length of the settlement conference remains unclear, with negotiations potentially spanning several days.
From On-Set Tensions to Public Legal Battles
The discord between the two leads surfaced after principal photography on It Ends With Us wrapped in early 2024. Baldoni’s limited participation in the film’s promotional events that summer fueled speculation and brought simmering tensions to a boil. Rumors circulated regarding Lively’s alleged request for a second edit of the film and accusations of on-set misconduct, prompting Baldoni to engage a public relations firm.
In December 2024, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging that Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, and Wayfarer Studios fostered a hostile work environment and retaliated against her for reporting misconduct. The complaint detailed claims that both men entered her on-set trailer while she was undressed, that Baldoni improvised unwanted kissing, and that he discussed his sex life on set. Lively also alleged a targeted PR campaign orchestrated by Baldoni to disseminate negative stories about her.
Legal Setbacks and Expanding Litigation
Months later, a federal judge in New York tossed out Baldoni and Wayfarer’s $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively. The judge ruled that Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment during the production of It Ends With Us were legally protected, shielding her from the suit.
Baldoni has also filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming the publication “cherry-picked” and “altered communications” when reporting on Lively’s complaint, presenting facts out of context. A wave of additional lawsuits has emerged among public relations representatives, with accusations of defamation and attempts to conceal Baldoni’s alleged behavior on set. These filings have offered a revealing glimpse into the world of crisis PR management within Hollywood.
High-Profile Support and Upcoming Trial
Wednesday’s courtroom meeting, preceding the trial scheduled to begin May 18, saw Magistrate Judge Sarah Cave attempt to encourage settlement discussions. Court filings have revealed communications involving several prominent figures, including Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, friend Taylor Swift, and Sony studio executives, some of whom allegedly criticized Lively.
Attorneys representing Lively and Baldoni did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.
It Ends With Us, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel about domestic violence, has earned over $350 million worldwide.
