• Justin Baldoni sent a late-night voice note apologizing to Blake Lively.
• The actors are embroiled in a legal battle ahead of a scheduled trial in 2026.
• Baldoni's relationship with WME has reportedly soured, affecting his film projects.
• Blake Lively’s brother-in-law issued a public apology for his comments targeting Baldoni.
• The dispute has sparked public interest and controversy, drawing social media scrutiny.

The ongoing legal battle between actors Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has escalated significantly as both stars prepare for a trial set for March 9, 2026. Recently, Baldoni sent a nearly seven-minute voice note to Lively, expressing regret for his behavior during the filming of It Ends With Us. In the emotional recording, he acknowledged, “I’m really sorry, I f—-d up,” after a heated discussion about creative differences over the film’s rooftop scene. His admission came after Lively filed serious allegations of sexual harassment against him, claiming he engaged in intimidating and inappropriate behavior on set.

The public nature of the feud has caused ripples in Baldoni’s professional life as well. Reports claim that his relationship with talent agency WME has strained, leading to the loss of several projects, including a proposed Pac-Man movie, with Baldoni allegedly losing hundreds of millions of dollars due to the fallout from the scandal. His lawsuits against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, claiming defamation and extortion, add a further layer of complexity to the situation.

Amid this tumult, Bart Johnson, Lively's brother-in-law, expressed regret for making "unkind" remarks targeting Baldoni, in the wake of Johnson criticizing Baldoni's character online. His social media comments included references to Baldoni's looks, notably calling him a “fraud” and mocking his signature “man bun.” In a recent X post, he clarified: “Anytime I've said anything unkind about someone I’ve regretted it.” This mea culpa underscores the increasing scrutiny surrounding the legal disputes and the surrounding social media narratives.

The litigation raises questions about workplace conduct in Hollywood and has garnered significant attention both from media and social platforms, reflecting broader discussions about accountability in the entertainment industry. As the trial date approaches, fans and spectators are eagerly anticipating more developments in this saga, which intertwines personal grievances with public perceptions, as highlighted by USA Today.

For a complete timeline of the unfolding allegations and subsequent legal actions, see Salon.