Lively, Baldoni Settle ‘It Ends With Us’ Dispute Ahead of Trial

Actress Blake Lively and actor and director Justin Baldoni have reached a settlement resolving their legal dispute over the production of the film “It Ends With Us,” bringing an end to the high-profile case shortly before it was set to go to trial.

In a joint statement shared Monday, the parties said: “Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors—and all survivors—is a goal that we stand behind. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”

The agreement was finalized roughly two weeks ahead of a planned trial. The case stemmed from claims made by Lively that Baldoni engaged in sexual misconduct during filming and later worked with publicists to damage her reputation after she raised concerns privately. Baldoni denied the allegations and maintained that the claims were fabricated as part of a broader dispute over creative control.

The settlement avoids a public trial that could have further detailed internal disputes surrounding the film’s production and promotion.

Prior to the agreement, Lively indicated she intended to continue pursuing the case despite setbacks in court. In an April social media post, the actress said she brought the lawsuit after facing what she described as “pervasive retaliation” tied to her request for a safer working environment. She added that she hoped her case would encourage others to speak out.

“Don’t be distracted by the digital soap opera,” she wrote. “The constant packaging of this lawsuit as a ‘celebrity drama’ is not only irresponsible, but it is by design: to keep you from seeing yourselves in my story.”

However, a federal judge dismissed the majority of Lively’s claims in April. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman threw out 10 of the 13 counts, including sexual harassment and defamation claims, ruling that Lively, classified as an independent contractor, could not bring certain claims under federal employment law.

The court allowed limited retaliation and contract-related claims to proceed, narrowing the scope of the case before it was ultimately resolved through settlement.

The dispute traced back to the production of “It Ends With Us,” which premiered in New York on Aug. 6, 2024. The film, directed by Baldoni, stars both Baldoni and Lively and is based on the 2016 bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover. The story begins as a romantic drama but evolves into a narrative addressing domestic violence.

Speculation about tensions between the co-stars emerged during the film’s promotional period, when Baldoni took a reduced role in press appearances while Lively participated in a broader media campaign.

Terms of the settlement were not publicly disclosed.