Blake Lively’s harassment and retaliation lawsuit against actor and director Justin Baldoni continues to escalate, with newly filed legal motions adding pressure to the ongoing case. The dispute began during the production of It Ends With Us, where Lively accused Baldoni and his producing partner, Jamey Heath, of creating an unsafe and inappropriate work environment.
Lively Requests Court Sanctions
According to new filings, Lively’s team has asked the court to impose sanctions on producer Jamey Heath for allegedly failing to provide key evidence during discovery. The complaint states that Heath did not turn over material the defense believes is crucial to the case—specifically an alleged video of Heath’s wife giving birth that Lively says was shown to her without warning on set.
Her attorneys argue this supports claims of harassment and retaliation and shows “a pattern of inappropriate conduct” around cast and crew.
Baldoni Fires Back
Baldoni has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. In early 2025, he filed a massive $400 million countersuit, accusing Lively of orchestrating a smear campaign in an attempt to harm his reputation. However, a June 2025 ruling dismissed Baldoni’s defamation claim entirely, with a federal judge ruling that Lively’s complaints were legally protected statements.
Despite the setback, Baldoni’s legal team says he remains focused on preparing for trial rather than public drama.
Trial Date Set
The case continues to move forward, and a U.S. District Court judge has scheduled the official trial for March 2026. Discovery battles are expected to continue as both sides fight over evidence, conduct, and witness testimony.
A High-Profile Legal Battle
The dispute has gained national attention—not only because of Lively and Baldoni’s star power, but because the lawsuit raises questions about on-set safety, power dynamics, and appropriate professional behavior in Hollywood. Industry observers say the outcome could influence how future productions handle internal misconduct allegations.
For now, neither side has indicated a willingness to settle. Instead, both appear prepared for a long courtroom fight.
Sources
People – https://people.com/blake-lively-claims-it-ends-with-us-producer-failed-to-hand-over-alleged-video-of-his-nude-wife-giving-birth-11842724
Reuters – https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/judge-dismisses-justin-baldonis-400-million-defamation-lawsuit-against-blake-2025-06-09
E! News – https://www.eonline.com/news/1424538/justin-baldoni-lawyer-calls-blake-lively-request-to-dismiss-lawsuit-abhorrent
NY Post – https://nypost.com/2025/01/28/entertainment/blake-lively-justin-baldonis-trial-date-set-for-march-2026
0 Comments