Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni came face-to-face today in Manhattan, marking their first in-person encounter since their legal feud began over the film It Ends With Us. The meeting happened during Lively’s official deposition, held in a private conference room at her legal team’s office, with only attorneys, a court reporter, and a videographer present.
The legal battle stems from the production of the 2024 movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, in which Lively starred and Baldoni both acted and directed. In a lawsuit filed last December, Lively accused Baldoni of misconduct on set, claiming she endured “severe emotional distress, humiliation, embarrassment, frustration, and mental anguish” due to his behavior during filming.
Baldoni, however, didn’t stay silent. He responded with a $400 million countersuit, alleging extortion and defamation — not just against Lively, but also her husband Ryan Reynolds and her longtime publicist Leslie Sloane. He even took aim at The New York Times in a separate defamation filing. But last month, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni’s massive counterclaim as well as his case against the newspaper.
Despite the high-stakes tension, Baldoni chose to attend today’s deposition in person. Sources confirmed that while the testimony remains sealed, it’s a crucial step in the legal process, especially with the case expected to go to trial in March 2026. Cameras won’t be allowed in the courtroom, but both Lively and Baldoni are expected to testify.
Lively’s attorney, Mike Gottlieb, has made it clear she intends to speak in court. In contrast, Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman once provocatively proposed that her testimony be made public at Madison Square Garden, with proceeds benefiting domestic violence charities — a dramatic offer that was ultimately rejected.
This lawsuit has drawn huge attention not only because of the serious allegations, but also because of the big names involved and the original novel’s heavy subject matter. While some legal claims have already been dismissed, the heart of Lively’s accusations remains. As the trial date looms, the case continues to stir both legal and entertainment circles.
Representatives for Reynolds and Sloane have remained silent about today’s events, but with the stakes this high and the trial just months away, the drama is far from over.
