Key Takeaways:

• Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are engaged in a complex legal battle involving harassment and defamation claims.
• The actors have rejected mediation, opting to continue their fight in court.
• Controversy surrounds accusations of a smear campaign and additional lawsuits from both parties.

The legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni rages on with increased intensity as legal teams for both sides filed a joint letter to a federal judge indicating their firm stance against mediation. The letter stated that they viewed settling the dispute through a mediator as “inappropriate” and “premature,” suggesting a looming trial could proceed as early as March 2026.

The escalating feud began following allegations made by Lively that Baldoni had engaged in sexual harassment during the filming of their movie, It Ends With Us, while Baldoni countersued for defamation, seeking $400 million in damages and alleging Lively orchestrated a smear campaign against him. The complicated litigation also names Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, and multiple publicists as defendants.

Recently, Baldoni’s legal team responded to Lively’s attempt to access his phone records, referring to her request as a “massive fishing expedition.” The defense argued that disclosing years of personal phone data could reveal sensitive information, emphasizing the civil nature of the case. Baldoni's lawyer described the subpoenas as broad and atypical, asserting that they should not be treated as criminal investigations.

Complicating the situation further, Baldoni's legal team has expressed concerns over Lively's prior statements regarding her desire for creative control and “authorship” over film projects. Critics, including media personalities like Megyn Kelly, have harshly critiqued Lively, labeling her a "serial fraudster" and suggesting that her allegations have not been substantiated by evidence.

The ramifications of this turbulent legal fight have attracted attention throughout Hollywood, with cries of support emerging for both actors from various quarters. As Lively and Baldoni prepare for what promises to be a contentious trial, the public remains fixated on the developments and implications of their high-profile clash.

For more details, visit the original articles from Forbes, HuffPost, and The Daily Beast.