The internet practically exploded when the rumors of an on-set feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni turned into a full-blown legal war. We aren't just talking about some petty Instagram unfollowing here. This is a massive, multi-million dollar legal battle that has completely overshadowed the actual movie they made together. Honestly, if you thought the drama in It Ends With Us was intense, the real-life courtroom saga is making the film look like a G-rated cartoon.
It started with whispers. Then came the "creative differences" stories. But by December 2024, the gloves were officially off. Blake Lively filed a bombshell lawsuit against her costar and director, Justin Baldoni, and the details coming out of the depositions are, frankly, wild.
Why Is Blake Lively Suing Her Costar?
Basically, Lively is alleging a hostile work environment that sounds more like a nightmare than a Hollywood set. In her legal filings, she claims Baldoni engaged in sexual harassment and retaliation. She’s seeking roughly $160 million in damages, which is a number that reflects just how high the stakes are for everyone involved.
Lively’s team argues that the misconduct wasn't just a one-off thing. They claim she actually raised concerns months before filming even started. According to the court documents, there were agreements made—things like "no more showing nude videos or images of women" to her and stopping discussions about personal sexual experiences—that were supposedly ignored.
The Countersuit That Collapsed
Baldoni didn't just sit there. He fired back with a massive $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. He accused them of defamation and extortion, basically claiming they "hijacked" the film's creative direction and then launched a smear campaign to ruin his reputation.
But here’s the kicker: A judge eventually threw his case out. By late 2025, Baldoni’s defamation claims were dismissed because, legally speaking, things said in a lawsuit are generally protected. He also missed a key deadline to amend his claims, which effectively killed his side of the legal fight.
The "Fat-Shaming" and Taylor Swift Subpoenas
If you want to know how messy this gets, look at the witnesses. There’s a story floating around in the filings about a confrontation where Ryan Reynolds allegedly "berated" Baldoni for fat-shaming Lively on set. Apparently, this happened in front of Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman.
Baldoni’s legal team even tried to subpoena Taylor Swift at one point. They claimed Lively was using her "powerful friends" to manipulate the narrative. The court did grant him access to some of Lively’s texts with Swift, but for the most part, the attempts to drag the "Eras Tour" star into the middle of the trial haven't helped him much.
A New Heavy Hitter Joins the Team
In early 2026, Lively made a massive move by hiring Sigrid McCawley. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she’s the lawyer who represented survivors in the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Adding someone with that kind of resume sends a very specific message. Lively isn't treating this like a "celebrity spat." She's framing this as a serious workplace safety and harassment issue. McCawley herself stated that the case is about a woman being attacked for standing up for herself and her female coworkers.
What’s Next for the Trial?
Right now, we are in the middle of a high-stakes waiting game. Settlement discussions are planned for February 2026. If those fail—and given the tone of the statements from both sides, they very well might—the trial is officially set for May 18, 2026.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With Ashton Kutcher Diddy and Brittany Murphy
- Depositions are being unsealed: We’re starting to see texts where Baldoni claims he was being "set up" by Lively.
- The "Buckingham Palace" Office: Even Lively and Reynolds' home office has become a point of contention, with Baldoni claiming Lively insisted meetings happen there to show off her celebrity lifestyle.
- Witness Lists: Expect to see some very famous names potentially called to testify about what they saw on that set.
It’s easy to get lost in the gossip, but the core of the Blake Lively suing costar situation is a massive legal precedent for how "creative control" and "hostile environments" are defined in the modern era of filmmaking.
Actionable Takeaways for the Public
- Read the source documents: If you see a wild headline, check if it’s from a court filing or just an "insider source." The unsealed depositions provide the most accurate (if biased) look at what happened.
- Separate the art from the drama: It Ends With Us is a story about domestic violence. Many fans are finding it difficult to watch the film now, but understanding the legal timeline helps separate the production issues from the film's message.
- Watch the May trial date: That is when the real evidence—emails, texts, and behind-the-scenes footage—will likely become public record.
This isn't just about two actors who didn't get along. This is a $160 million battle for reputation and workplace rights that will likely change how Hollywood contracts are written for years to come.