Justin Baldoni has reportedly taken a significant step amidst the ongoing legal dispute involving his former It Ends With Us co-star, Blake Lively. The legal tension between the two has been escalating, and Lively recently began her deposition regarding the matter.
The former Gossip Girl star commenced her deposition on Thursday, July 31, as part of the publicized legal clash with Baldoni. The session occurred with only legal representatives, a court reporter, and a videographer present.
This legal confrontation stems from Lively’s accusations against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation following their collaboration on the 2024 drama film, which he both directed and acted in.
In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, including Sloane’s PR firm, Vision PR. However, the countersuit was dismissed by a New York judge in June.
This week, Lively’s deposition, potentially under a protective order, reportedly included an unexpected attendee—Baldoni himself. Sources close to the situation informed TMZ that Baldoni attended the deposition at Lively’s lawyer’s office in New York City.
The limited number of people present contrasts with earlier suggestions from Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman. In May, Freedman proposed a more public approach, stating to People: “Since Ms. Lively is open to testifying, let’s make it count. Hold the deposition at [Madison Square Garden], sell tickets or stream it, and donate every dollar to organizations helping victims of domestic abuse.”
Baldoni’s legal team remains steadfast in their position that Lively’s accusations concerning his behavior on the movie set are false. Following the countersuit’s dismissal, Freedman emphasized their determination to continue the legal fight.
Speaking to ABC News after the suit’s dismissal, Freedman remarked: “Instead of revising the existing claims, our clients will be pursuing additional legal options that are available to us.” He added that the court’s decision on the motion to dismiss “has no effect whatsoever on the truth that there was no harassment nor any smear campaign, and it does not in any way affect our vigorous defense against Ms. Lively’s claims.”
The trial is slated for March 2026, with Freedman confirming that Baldoni will testify. UNILAD has reached out to Baldoni’s representatives for comments regarding his presence at the deposition.