The high-profile legal battle between “It Ends with Us” co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has been pushed back by nearly two months. The trial, originally set for March 9, 2026, will now begin May 18, 2026, after Judge Lewis Liman informed both sides he will be in back-to-back criminal trials that month.
“Criminal trials take precedence,” Liman said during Tuesday’s hearing. Neither actor appeared in court.
The delay does not affect the substance of the case, according to a representative for Baldoni. Judge Liman will hear oral arguments on Jan. 22, 2026, regarding Baldoni’s request for summary judgment. His legal team has argued that Lively’s claims amount to “minor grievances,” while Lively’s attorneys insist she is entitled to a full trial.
Background on the Dispute
Lively is suing Baldoni for nearly $500 million, alleging retaliation and severe emotional distress after raising concerns about alleged misconduct during production of the film, which Baldoni directed. Her December 2024 complaint accused Baldoni and others of sexual harassment and attempting to smear her reputation.
Baldoni responded with multiple lawsuits of his own—one against The New York Times and another against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist—seeking hundreds of millions in damages. Judge Liman dismissed those suits in June 2025.
Baldoni’s attorney has said they plan to pursue “additional legal options,” while maintaining that Lively’s allegations are “factually baseless.” Discovery in Lively’s lawsuit is ongoing.
Representatives for Lively have not commented further on the newly delayed trial date.
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