**Justin Baldoni’s Legal Battle with Blake Lively Intensifies as Attorneys Continue to Play Hardball**
*Published Nov. 5, 2025, 10:59 a.m. ET*
Justin Baldoni’s ongoing legal war with Blake Lively is far from over, as the director’s legal team continues to take a tough stance. RadarOnline.com can reveal that Baldoni’s attorneys have pushed back against reports suggesting his $400 million **It Ends With Us** lawsuit against Lively was doomed due to missed deadlines.
### No Deadlines Missed
Despite rumors, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman insists the lawsuit remains very much active and that no deadlines have been missed. The veteran lawyer explained that the decision not to file an amended complaint—which led Judge Lewis Liman to enter a final judgment earlier this week—was a strategic move to preserve Baldoni’s right to appeal.
Freedman said in a statement:
*“The truth regarding this case continuously and completely gets distorted in the media. Even something as simple as a procedural update has resulted in a total mischaracterization.”*
### Focusing on Lively’s Claims
Freedman continued,
*“At this point, we have to set the record straight: no deadlines were missed. Our clients chose not to amend their complaint to preserve appeal rights. In the meantime, we are focusing on Ms. Lively’s claims. We remain fully committed to pursuing the truth through every legal and factual avenue available and look forward to our day in court.”*
### Background of the Legal Drama
The long-running legal battle began when Blake Lively filed a $250 million harassment complaint against Justin Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of inappropriate behavior on set.
This complaint was followed by a New York Times investigative report, which accused Baldoni, 41, of sexually harassing Lively and alleged that he orchestrated a media smear campaign against her. The actress is noted for having dressed up as an old lady for Halloween celebrations with her husband Ryan Reynolds, 49, to mark what some perceived as the dismissal of Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit.
### Baldoni’s Counterlawsuit
In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and The New York Times in January 2025, with Ryan Reynolds also named in the case. He accused Lively of attempting to hijack his film project, **It Ends With Us**, and recalled a notable moment where Lively compared herself to *Game of Thrones* character Khaleesi — boasting that Reynolds and former friend Taylor Swift are her “dragons.”
The case has since seen a flurry of claims and counterclaims. Taylor Swift was even subpoenaed but that subpoena was later canceled.
### The Status of Lively’s Lawsuit
Lively’s lawsuit alleging Baldoni’s sexual harassment — claiming his behavior during filming caused her “grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety” — is still moving forward. The trial is scheduled to begin in March 2026.
However, L.A.-based celebrity lawyer Christopher Melcher casts doubt on whether the case will reach trial. He told RadarOnline,
*”I see no realistic chance that this case will ever go to trial. Justin has very few claims left that are allowed based on this ruling, and Blake can’t seek emotional distress damages.”*
Melcher added:
*”They have inflicted damaging wounds against each other, and the only thing they have to show for it are big legal bills. Now they really need to find a way out, because continuing in court is not a viable pathway for either one of them based on the rulings that they have suffered. It’s really now in their hands to settle, and that might be what the judge is hoping to do through these rulings.”*
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As this high-profile legal saga continues to unfold, both sides remain firmly entrenched, leaving many to wonder if a settlement or resolution may soon be reached. Stay tuned for updates.
https://radaronline.com/p/justin-baldoni-legal-team-it-ends-with-us-lawsuit-blake-lively-missed-deadlines/