BREAKING: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Could Face OFF in Explosive March 2026 Trial — Hollywood Braces for Scandalous Testimonies, Secret Messages, and A-List Witnesses That Could Shake the Industry

Trial Date Set? Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Legal Showdown May Head to Court in March 2026

By ChatNews Entertainment Desk | June 14, 2025

In a legal battle that has shaken Hollywood and captivated the public, a federal judge announced Monday that co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni could be heading to trial on March 9, 2026. The high-stakes courtroom clash stems from dueling lawsuits between the It Ends With Us actors and could expose the dark underbelly of what was once a feel-good film project.

Judge Lewis J. Liman, overseeing both lawsuits in the Southern District of New York, revealed his intention to consolidate the cases and begin proceedings next year — assuming no out-of-court settlement is reached.

The Lawsuits at the Heart of the Battle

Blake Lively filed her lawsuit against Baldoni on December 31, 2024, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of It Ends With Us. According to court documents, Lively claims that she faced a toxic and dismissive work environment, and that after raising complaints, she became the target of a calculated smear campaign.

In response, Baldoni struck back with a countersuit just two weeks later, accusing Lively — and, in a rare legal move, also naming her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds — of defamation and extortion. Baldoni’s legal team alleges that Lively and Reynolds used their public platform to damage his reputation, both through media leaks and behind-the-scenes threats aimed at coercing a payout.

The legal storm has turned what began as an onscreen love story into a full-blown real-world legal drama.

A Website, a War, and a Judge’s Warning

The court battle has taken a combative and very public turn. On Monday, the judge confirmed he will hold an initial hearing on February 3, 2026, to address growing tensions — particularly surrounding Baldoni’s outspoken attorney, Bryan Freedman.

Freedman has been a flashpoint in the proceedings, announcing that he intends to launch a public website to showcase evidence aimed at refuting Lively’s claims. In response, Lively’s legal team — led by Michael Gottlieb — has accused Freedman of waging a PR war designed to influence potential jurors and poison the media narrative in Baldoni’s favor.

Gottlieb has formally requested a protective order to limit the release of discovery materials and curb public statements that may prejudice the case. Additionally, he wants the judge to remind Freedman of his professional obligations, citing ethical rules that bar attorneys from making out-of-court comments that could taint jury selection.

Judge Moves Hearing Up

Freedman has not backed down, insisting he has a right to defend his client in the court of public opinion. He has countered that Lively’s team has already “weaponized” the press — notably pointing to an in-depth New York Times exposé that broke details of her complaint, implying Lively’s lawyers were involved in feeding that narrative.

The back-and-forth has become so intense that Gottlieb requested the court move up the hearing date, originally set for February 12. Judge Liman agreed, resetting the first hearing to February 3 to address the escalating war of words before the case even reaches a courtroom.

A Trial Date — But Nothing Is Set in Stone

In his order Monday, Judge Liman proposed that the parties set a briefing schedule that would prepare both sides for a full trial by March 9, 2026. However, legal experts are quick to caution that the date is tentative and could be subject to delays — or called off entirely.

“The court has laid out a path, but this is far from guaranteed,” said legal analyst Dana Ortega. “If motions drag on, discovery is contested, or either side appeals procedural rulings, it could easily push the trial well into late 2026 or beyond.”

On the other hand, the parties could reach a confidential settlement before the trial ever takes place — a common outcome in high-profile celebrity cases where reputational risk and media exposure are high.

Family Ties Under the Microscope

Adding an unusual twist to the proceedings is Judge Liman’s family connection to one of the litigants. His brother, Doug Liman, is a well-known Hollywood director who worked with Blake Lively on a pro-Obama campaign video in 2008. While the connection has not been formally raised as grounds for recusal, legal observers note the potential optics.

“There’s no indication of bias, but in a case involving this much media heat and celebrity drama, even indirect connections can become flashpoints,” Ortega said.

So far, neither Lively’s nor Baldoni’s legal team has filed any motion challenging the judge’s impartiality.

The Stakes for Hollywood

Beyond the court filings, subpoenas, and fiery public statements, this case has put a spotlight on Hollywood’s evolving reckoning with workplace conduct. Lively’s complaint includes allegations of retaliation for speaking up about harassment — a charge that resonates in the post-#MeToo era and may influence public perception even before a verdict is reached.

Meanwhile, Baldoni, known for promoting progressive gender roles and emotional vulnerability among men, finds himself in the uncomfortable position of defending against accusations that directly contradict his public persona.

“This trial, if it happens, will be about more than Blake and Justin,” said culture critic Mira Patel. “It will test how far Hollywood has actually come in holding itself accountable — or whether PR still rules the game.”

What Comes Next?

In the coming months, all eyes will be on the February 3 hearing, where the judge is expected to issue new guidance on media conduct, protective orders, and the handling of discovery materials. If the case moves forward as planned, depositions could begin this fall, with a jury potentially selected in early 2026.

Until then, both stars remain locked in a battle that has blurred the lines between art and reality, professionalism and publicity, and private grievances and public theater.

For fans of It Ends With Us, the emotional novel-turned-film now carries a real-life plot twist — one that may reach its climax not on a screen, but in a New York courtroom.