Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Reach a Settlement Two Weeks Before Trial
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reached a settlement in their ongoing legal battles.
According to NBC News, the “It Ends With Us” costars’ settlement was announced in a joint statement by their attorneys, confirming that it ends the multi-year legal battle between the pair.
“The end product - the movie “It Ends With Us” - is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life,” Baldoni and Lively’s attorneys said in their statement, per NBC. “Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors - and all survivors - is a goal that we stand behind.”
They also “acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard.”
“We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments,” the statement continued. “It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment.”
The settlement also comes after a federal judge tossed out Lively’s claims against Baldoni on harassment, defamation, and conspiracy, and narrowed its scope. The judge allowed other claims, including breach of contract and retaliation, to proceed to trial. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that initial jury selection was scheduled to begin on May 18, before the settlement announcement.
"Certain conduct at least arguably crossed the line," U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman wrote in his statement. “There are limits to the response that the accused can make in response to claims of harassment. There comes a point where the accused stops simply defending him or herself and starts taking action that a reasonable jury could view as retaliation for the fact that the accuser had the temerity to make the accusations."
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Lively initially filed the lawsuit against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer, over sexual harassment back in December 2024. Her legal claims were tied to the press and production around their film “It Ends With Us” and accused him of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
In January 2025, Baldoni countersued Lively and her husband, as well as “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, seeking $400 million in damages for defamation and extortion. He also filed a second libel lawsuit against The New York Times over their reporting of Lively’s treatment on the “It Ends With Us” set.
A federal judge closed both of Baldoni’s cases back in November 2025, ruling that his lawsuits did not meet the legal standard to move forward in court.
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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 8:02 PM.