Washington [US], January 28: A judge has set a potential trial date of March 9, 2026, for the ongoing legal dispute between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, according to Variety. The actress, who filed a lawsuit against the director in December, accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of their upcoming 2024 film.
Judge Lewis J. Liman confirmed that an initial hearing will take place on February 3, where Lively’s legal team is expected to request an order preventing Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, from conducting a public relations campaign regarding the case.
Lively’s lawsuit alleges that she and others involved in the production of It Ends With Us were subjected to “invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional, and sexually inappropriate behaviour” by Baldoni. She further claims that Baldoni retaliated by working with a crisis PR team to damage her reputation.
Baldoni has denied all allegations and, through his legal team, filed a $400 million counter-lawsuit against Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. Freedman plans to launch a website to provide evidence countering Lively’s claims. Meanwhile, Lively’s attorneys are seeking a protective injunction to limit the distribution of discovery materials, as well as a reminder to Freedman of his professional conduct duties.
Lively’s team had previously requested a hearing to address Freedman’s media statements, and the judge agreed to advance the hearing from February 12 to February 3.
Judge Liman has also indicated plans to consolidate the two federal cases. While the trial is scheduled for March 9, 2026, it may be canceled if the parties reach a settlement before that time.