Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively have reportedly rejected a last-minute attempt at a settlement over the latter’s sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit.
The It Ends With Us co-stars will meet in person in court next month after they were unable to close their case during a meeting with a New York City judge on Monday, the Daily Mail reported.
Representatives for the two men did not immediately respond to Page Six for comment.
Lawyers for Mr. Baldoni, 42, and Mr. Lively, 38, were contacted at the last minute to meet privately to update the judge on “their clients’ latest settlement opinions” ahead of their upcoming trial.
The deal was planned after 13 Gossip Girl alumni’s claims against the Wayfarer Studios co-founder were dismissed on Thursday.
Only three claims remain against Baldoni, including breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation.
The director’s legal team celebrated the victory, telling Page Six in a statement that they were “very pleased that the court dismissed all sexual harassment lawsuits and all claims brought against the individual defendants.”
“These are very serious allegations, and we appreciate the court’s careful consideration of the facts, the law, and the extensive evidence provided.”
Lively later spoke out about the court’s ruling on Instagram, writing in a lengthy statement: “While a lawsuit is the last thing I wanted in my life, I filed this lawsuit after facing and continuing widespread retaliation for seeking a safe working environment for myself and others both publicly and privately.”
He also said he was “grateful” to be able to “finally tell (my) full story” at the May 18 trial.
In another post, the actress shared a citation from a court ruling that said she had provided “positive evidence” regarding the retaliation allegations and Wayfarer Studios’ “intent to spread negative content about her.”
The court also ruled that there was “sufficient evidence” that “the Wayfarer parties created a hostile work environment and sexually harassed her,” according to the post.
Lively’s attorney told Page Six in a statement that her sexual harassment allegations did not come to court “because the defendant did nothing wrong,” but because the court deemed Lively to be an independent contractor rather than an employee.
The “Shallows” star accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation in “It Ends With Us,” which is set in December 2024. She filed a lawsuit against Baldoni that same month.
Baldoni has vehemently denied Lively’s claims and filed a $400 million lawsuit against her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. A judge ultimately dismissed the case on June 25th.
As the saga continues, the names of several big stars are listed in the unsealed document, including Taylor Swift and Reynolds’ ex-wife Scarlett Johansson.
