Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, the stars of the 2024 hit film It Ends With Us, just wrapped up a tense day in court that did nothing to cool down their heated legal fight. After six hours of discussions in a New York City federal courthouse on February 11, 2026, the two walked away without any agreement.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, told reporters outside that the talks were “unsuccessful” and expressed confidence about moving forward to trial. This leaves the former co-stars on a direct path to a jury trial set for May 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, with Judge Lewis Liman presiding.
The session, overseen by Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave, kept Lively and Baldoni in separate rooms for most of the time, avoiding any direct face-to-face moments. Lively arrived looking composed in a dark coat, while Baldoni showed up with his wife, Emily, by his side.
No comments came from either side as they left, but Freedman’s remarks made it clear: no deal means the battle continues. Some reports suggest talks could pick up again on an unannounced date, but for now, the focus shifts to the upcoming trial.
The Failed Settlement Attempt
This court-ordered conference was meant as a final push to resolve things quietly before the public drama hits a courtroom. The two sides spent the day hashing out details with the judge’s help, but after six long hours, nothing stuck.
Freedman, speaking to outlets like Variety, said he believes the case will go to trial and that his team is ready for it. He even added there’s always a chance for more talks, but he didn’t sound optimistic.
What a surprise, no settlement today between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Justin was smiling exiting the courthouse, Blake was not, take from that what you will. pic.twitter.com/3AGcsdaoEB
— Shiny Happy Person (@HRH_SHP) February 11, 2026
Lively, 38, and Baldoni, 42, haven’t shared a room publicly since the film’s promotional tour in 2024, which was already buzzing with rumors of tension. The settlement push came after more than a year of back-and-forth filings, dismissals, and unsealed documents that have kept fans and media hooked. With no resolution, the trial in May could bring even more details to light, including witness testimonies and evidence from both camps.
Key Allegations and Counterclaims
The trouble traces back to the set of It Ends With Us, a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel about domestic violence. Lively played Lily Bloom, a florist in a turbulent relationship, while Baldoni directed and starred as Ryle Kincaid, her abusive partner. The movie was a box office success, pulling in over $340 million worldwide, but behind-the-scenes issues quickly surfaced.
Lively’s core claims center on sexual harassment and retaliation. In her December 31, 2024, federal lawsuit filed in New York, she named Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and PR experts Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel as defendants. She alleged Baldoni improvised intimate scenes without consent, like lingering in kisses or adding unscripted actions, and made comments about her weight and body. Lively also said he showed her explicit videos and discussed his past porn addiction in front of others.
After raising concerns, Lively claimed Baldoni and his team launched a smear campaign. This included planting negative stories portraying her as difficult or tone-deaf during promo, using tactics similar to those in high-profile cases like Johnny Depp’s.
Unsealed texts from the case revealed discussions about leveraging media to shift blame, with one message referencing Taylor Swift’s public image strategies as a model. Lively sought damages for emotional distress, lost work opportunities, and more, with estimates reaching hundreds of millions.
Baldoni fired back on January 16, 2025, with a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, alleging defamation, extortion, and invasion of privacy. He claimed Lively’s team tried to strong-arm him during a crisis meeting and planted false narratives.
Baldoni also sued The New York Times for libel over its coverage. However, on June 9, 2025, Judge Liman dismissed both of Baldoni’s suits, ruling they lacked merit under anti-SLAPP laws protecting free speech. Baldoni has denied all allegations, with his lawyers calling Lively’s claims “categorically false” and accusing her of using the lawsuit to rehab her image after promo backlash.
What’s Next in the Legal Battle
With the settlement talks falling flat, all eyes turn to the May 18, 2026, trial date. Lively plans to testify, and her team has lined up witnesses from the set, including crew members who backed her complaints. The case could last weeks, with potential for more unsealed evidence, like additional texts or emails, to emerge.
This feud has already cost both sides in reputation and opportunities. Baldoni stepped away from directing the sequel, It Starts With Us, while Lively has spoken about the toll on her family life. Public interest remains high, as the real-life drama mirrors the film’s themes of abuse and accountability.
For now, fans wait to see if any last-minute deal happens or if the courtroom showdown reveals even more about what went wrong on that set.
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