Blake Lively’s Legal War with Justin Baldoni Escalates: Deposition Date Set as Hollywood Prepares for Explosive Trial

The legal storm swirling around Blake Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni just entered a new and potentially explosive phase. According to court documents obtained on Monday, July 7, Lively is officially scheduled to be deposed on July 17, marking the next major step in her ongoing lawsuit against Baldoni—an ordeal that has captivated Hollywood, rocked the film industry, and exposed deeper tensions about power, retaliation, and accountability in entertainment.

The deposition—expected to be held under tight security and intense scrutiny—will be Lively’s first sworn testimony under oath in a case that has already triggered a dismissed $400 million countersuit, a fierce public narrative war, and a looming March 2026 trial date.

The Allegations That Sparked a Firestorm

It all began in December 2024, when Lively, 37, filed a bombshell lawsuit against Baldoni, 41, alleging sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, and an orchestrated smear campaign designed to professionally and emotionally destroy her.

The allegations, tied to the filming and promotion of It Ends With Us, sent shockwaves through the industry—not only because of the gravity of the claims but because of the high-profile names involved. Baldoni, best known for Jane the Virgin and his reputation as a “sensitive male voice” in Hollywood, denied all wrongdoing.

Instead of fading quietly, the conflict exploded.

The $400 Million Retaliation—and the Collapse

Just three months after Lively filed her claims, Baldoni retaliated with a lawsuit of his own—a jaw-dropping $400 million case accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, her longtime publicist Leslie Sloane, and even The New York Times of civil extortion, defamation, and tortious interference.

Baldoni’s lawsuit claimed Lively’s allegations were part of a coordinated campaign to destroy his reputation and coerce him into financial settlements. He positioned himself as the real victim—a strategy his team aggressively promoted in the press.

But in June 2025, the court threw out Baldoni’s countersuit in its entirety.

In a decisive ruling, Judge Lewis J. Liman found Baldoni’s case to be legally unsubstantiated and sided with Lively, Reynolds, Sloane, and The Times, who had all categorically denied Baldoni’s claims. Lively’s lawyers called the ruling a “total victory” and labeled the $400 million suit a “sham.”

“Our clients have been completely vindicated,” Lively’s legal team stated. “This was retaliatory, abusive litigation at its most transparent. Now we move forward—to seek treble damages, attorneys’ fees, and accountability.”

A Crucial Decision Not to Refile

Judge Liman’s ruling gave Baldoni the opportunity to amend his lawsuit—an opening he and his legal team loudly claimed they would seize.

But when the court-imposed June 23 deadline came, Baldoni did nothing.

There was no revised complaint. No new evidence. No public statement walking back or correcting earlier allegations. Instead, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman offered a cryptic rebuttal to People, stating: “We are pursuing alternative legal options.”

That vague promise has done little to ease skepticism about the strength—or sincerity—of Baldoni’s legal strategy. Critics have pointed out that the original $400 million suit seemed designed more for headlines than for the courtroom.

Lively’s Case Moves Forward — With a Trial in Sight

With Baldoni’s retaliation legally dead and buried, Lively’s lawsuit now proceeds with renewed momentum. The July 17 deposition will be a defining moment in the case, as she answers detailed questions from Baldoni’s attorneys under oath.

Sources close to the legal teams say Lively is fully prepared for the deposition and intends to stand firm on every allegation made in her original complaint.

A trial date has been set for March 2026, meaning both sides have months of discovery, document review, and witness preparation ahead. Court insiders say the trial could last several weeks and involve a star-studded witness list, including former crew members, publicists, and possibly even fellow cast members from It Ends With Us.

Beyond the Courtroom: Hollywood and the Stakes of Silence

While the legal case centers on personal and professional misconduct, the stakes go far beyond Lively and Baldoni. In an industry still grappling with the aftermath of #MeToo, this lawsuit represents a test of whether high-profile women can speak out without facing overwhelming retaliation.

That Baldoni attempted to include Ryan Reynolds and The New York Times in his counter-lawsuit has particularly unsettled observers, who saw it as an attempt to bully not just Lively but her entire support system.

For her part, Lively has maintained a public silence since filing the suit, making only brief appearances and offering no media interviews. Her team has let the court filings and the judge’s dismissal of Baldoni’s case speak for themselves.

Meanwhile, Baldoni has doubled down on public appearances, hinting at victimhood and injustice without ever directly addressing the core allegations. In industry circles, opinions are split—some still support him, others have quietly distanced themselves.

What Comes Next?

With her deposition now just days away, all eyes are on how Lively handles the moment—and what new details may emerge.

Already, media outlets are preparing for what promises to be one of the most watched celebrity trials in years. Legal experts predict that regardless of outcome, the case will reshape conversations about power, reputation, and accountability in Hollywood.

One entertainment lawyer close to the case told Us Weekly, “This isn’t just a lawsuit. It’s a message. Blake Lively has said she’s not backing down. And so far, she hasn’t blinked once.”

Final Thoughts

From her first court filing to her upcoming deposition, Blake Lively has approached this legal battle with calculated resolve. Her victory in shutting down Baldoni’s countersuit may have been one round—but the fight is far from over.

As the clock ticks toward July 17, what began as a behind-the-scenes dispute on a film set has now become a full-blown, high-stakes legal saga — one that will likely define reputations, careers, and the rules of engagement for celebrity justice for years to come.