The war of words between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively is showing no sign of stopping.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, strongly responded to Lively’s accusations claiming that he is attempting to influence potential jurors for their forthcoming trial. It is alleged that he leaked information to discredit the actress’ version of events.
Freedman delivered a pointed statement on Monday, January 27, to Us Weekly, explicitly mentioning Lively’s spouse, Ryan Reynolds. He emphasized that their objective with an upcoming website is to counteract the alleged misinformation provided to the New York Times by Lively and Reynolds. Freedman asserted that they will present all information transparently without bias or manipulation, highlighting that everyone should be subject to the same standards of transparency.
The lawyer concluded with an ominous message for the couple.
He further stated that if Lively and Reynolds aim to suppress the truth through their influence in the entertainment industry, they are prepared to oppose such actions vigorously. Freedman reaffirmed their determination to stand up against any attempts to intimidate or silence them, emphasizing that it is their right to defend themselves and not an act of reprisal.
Freedman’s response came the same day that Judge Lewis J. Liman, who serves the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, set a date for Baldoni and Lively’s trial: March 9, 2026, if the costars don’t settle their legal battle beforehand. Meanwhile, a pre-trial hearing has been set for Monday, February 3, when the court will address Lively’s request for a gag order.
Earlier this month, Baldoni’s team revealed its plans to launch a website that will allegedly support his claims against Lively. They also released a video from the set showing the actors filming a romantic scene. While rolling, the pair could be heard speaking out of character, and the conversation has been an aspect of contention in the legal back and forth.
In response, Lively’s legal team slammed Baldoni and his team for choosing to publicly share the video.
“Justin Baldoni and his lawyer may hope that this latest stunt will get ahead of the damaging evidence against him, but the video itself is damning,” Lively’s legal team said in a statement to Us on January 21, adding: “This matter is in active litigation in federal court. Releasing this video to the media, rather than presenting it as evidence in court, is another example of an unethical attempt to manipulate the public. It is also a continuation of their harassment and retaliatory campaign. While they are focused on misleading media narratives, we are focused on the legal process. We are continuing our efforts to require Mr. Baldoni and his associates to answer in court, under oath, rather than through manufactured media stunts.”
Us Weekly then confirmed on January 22 that Lively, 37, and Reynolds, 48, had filed a letter in court the previous day, seeking a protective order to stop Freedman from engaging in “improper conduct” such as an alleged “harassing and retaliatory media campaign” against the pair.
Lively and Reynolds claimed that Freedman is violating court rules that prevent a lawyer from addressing the press with statements that are not related to the case and might prejudice the jury, according to documents obtained by Us. The letter alleged that Lively previously issued Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios a cease-and-desist letter and a second one to Freedman in December 2024, the month when Lively accused Baldoni — her It Ends With Us costar and director — of sexual harassment in a lawsuit. Baldoni denied the allegations, and fired back by suing the Times, and filing a $4,000 countersuit against Lively, Reynolds and Lively’s former publicist Leslie Sloan.
