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Blake Lively has taken another dramatic step in her ongoing legal dispute with actor and director Justin Baldoni. In an amended complaint filed late Tuesday in New York federal court, the 37-year-old actress claims that she isn't the only woman who experienced discomfort on the set of the hit romantic drama "It Ends With Us."
According to People, a spokesperson for Lively revealed that "other women confided in Blake about their discomfort," lending further support to her original allegations.
© Jose Perez/Bauer-GriffinNew Developments in the Courtroom
Lively's updated filing not only bolsters her harassment claims but also introduces several new elements to the high-profile case. Her attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, assert that the amended complaint includes "significant additional evidence and corroboration" of her original statements. The document now contains previously undisclosed communications with Sony Pictures, Baldoni's production company Wayfarer Studios, and multiple other witnesses. Notably, the new version adds a defamation claim against Baldoni—a charge absent from the initial New Year's Eve filing.
Expanding the Legal Front
The legal skirmish between Lively and Baldoni has escalated in recent months. Back in December, Lively filed her original sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni, who co-starred in and directed "It Ends With Us." In response, Baldoni has initiated a staggering $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her publicist, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, as well as a separate $250 million libel suit against The New York Times for its coverage of her allegations.
© Jose Perez/Bauer-GriffinIn the latest filing, Lively has expanded the scope of her complaint to include Texas-based crisis PR firm Street Relations, Inc. and its principal, Jed Wallace. Previously, Wallace had filed a $7 million lawsuit against Lively after she alleged that his firm "weaponized a digital army" on behalf of Baldoni. Although she had initially requested Wallace's deposition, that request was later withdrawn amid the ensuing litigation.
Corroboration from On-Set Witnesses
Central to Lively's renewed legal offensive is the claim that multiple on-set witnesses can validate her account of harassment. The amended complaint contends that Lively raised her concerns in real-time throughout 2023—long before any purported "power play" to control the film's narrative in 2024 could have taken shape. A spokesperson for Lively emphasized that the filing "details the corroboration that backs up Blake's original sexual harassment and retaliation concerns," underlining that the evidence was not isolated to her own experience but was shared by several other women.
The Courtroom and Public Spotlight
Amid the swirling litigation, a judge has set a trial date for March 2026, and both parties have already opted to bypass mediation, suggesting a protracted legal battle lies ahead.
Even as the courtroom drama unfolds, Lively and Reynolds continue to navigate the glare of public attention. At the recent SNL50 anniversary special, Ryan made a brief, tongue-in-cheek reference to their legal woes. In a segment where Reynolds was quizzed about how he was doing, his staged nervous, self-deprecating response and Lively's exaggerated expression of concern momentarily lightened the mood—even as insiders later described the exchange as "cheap damage control," according to Daily Mail sources.
© TheStewartofNY/WireImageIndustry Reactions and Insider Comments
While the A-list couple's attempt at humor on SNL might have been designed to deflect attention, not everyone in the industry was amused. According to sources reported by DailyMail.com, some producers at the event were reportedly "apprehensive" about engaging with the duo, fearing that their participation might be interpreted as an endorsement amid such serious accusations.
© Virginia Sherwood/NBC via GettyInsiders mentioned that although the network had orchestrated the segment to boost ratings and headlines, the overall reception was mixed. Some observers remarked that Ryan's effort to maintain his "funny guy" persona almost came at the expense of Blake's dignity.
A Battle Far from Over
As the legal and public relations fight intensifies, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni appear locked in a protracted battle with no quick resolution. With trial proceedings scheduled well into the future and fresh allegations continually emerging, this case is set to remain a central talking point in Hollywood's ongoing discourse about on-set behavior and accountability. Many believe this case will be even bigger than Deep vs. Heard.
© Jose Perez/Bauer-GriffinIn the meantime, the entertainment world is watching closely as the courtroom drama unfolds. Its implications could extend far beyond a single film set.
