A judge recently dismissed many of Lively’s claims, including harassment, defamation and conspiracy
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NEED TO KNOW
- Blake Lively has named husband Ryan Reynolds as a witness in her It Ends with Us legal battle with Justin Baldoni
- The actress seeks millions in damages as the trial proceedings are set to begin in May
- A judge recently dismissed many of Lively’s claims, including harassment, defamation and conspiracy
Blake Lively is calling husband Ryan Reynolds to serve a witness as her legal battle with Justin Baldoni heads to trial.
In a new filing submitted on Saturday, April 11, Lively, 38, identified the witnesses she wants a jury to hear from before proceedings in relation to the It Ends with Us costars' legal saga kick off next month.
Lively is expected to testify, along with Reynolds, 49, and Baldoni, 42. According to the filing, Reynolds is expected to testify about the film’s production and promotion, as well as the alleged retaliation and damages at the center of the case.
The list also includes Lively's costars, Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer, as well as her sister, Robyn Lively. Baldoni's former publicist, Stephanie Jones; his former podcast co-host, Liz Plank; and his crisis PR executive, Melissa Nathan, are also all named.
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Colleen Hoover, the author of the bestselling novel the It Ends with Us film is based on, is also named as a potential witness, with her testimony expected to be presented by deposition.
Beyond the film’s core players, the list extends to public relations figures and business leaders, including publicist Jennifer Abel and digital strategist Jed Wallace, as well as Steve Sarowitz, who co-founded Wayfarer Studios with Baldoni.
Some are expected to testify via deposition, as Lively’s legal team seeks to spotlight the film’s promotion and what she has alleged is a retaliatory campaign.
Several expert witnesses are also expected to testify, with anticipated testimony on reputational harm, workplace practices and social media activity.
Lively is seeking significant financial damages. According to the filing, her legal team estimates total compensatory damages ranging from roughly $142 million to nearly $300 million.
The legal battle surrounding Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024.
The actress alleged that Baldoni — who also directed the film — subjected her to sexual harassment, and that he and the other defendants orchestrated a retaliatory smear campaign "to destroy" her reputation. (Baldoni has denied the claims.)
The latest filing comes days after a major ruling that significantly narrowed Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni and others.
On April 2, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims — including harassment, defamation and conspiracy — while allowing a smaller set of allegations, including breach of contract and two retaliation-related claims, to move forward to trial.
The latest filing highlights ongoing friction between the two sides over what the jury should ultimately hear.
Baldoni’s legal team argues the ruling should limit which witnesses and evidence are presented, while Lively’s team maintains a broader group is still necessary to prove retaliation and damages.
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Following the judge's decision to narrow the case, Lively's attorney Michael Gottlieb said the dismissed claims were thrown out due to “legal issues rather than an endorsement of the defendants’ conduct."
He added that they "have always been the beating heart of Ms. Lively’s case.”
A trial is scheduled to begin in New York on May 18. It is expected to span roughly 15 trial days.
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