A last-ditch effort to settle the legal war between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has collapsed.
On Wednesday, The It Ends With Us co-stars faced off at the New York Federal Courthouse for court-mandated mediation as part of her sexual harassment case against him.
But Lively, 38, and Baldoni, 42, failed to reach a settlement and left the court separately after six hours. It’s believed the May 18 trial will still go ahead.
Blake Lively arrives at the New York Federal Courthouse for her trial against Baldoni. (GC Images)
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, acknowledged that a deal could still happen, but it seemed unlikely as reported by Variety.
He believes the case will still go to trial, telling the publication: “I do. We’re looking forward to it.”
Lively and Baldoni arrived at the New York City courtroom in attempt to resolve their explosive legal dispute.
It was the first time they have appeared in court at the same time since Lively filed the lawsuit, according to Deadline.
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Baldoni arrives at New York Federal Courthouse for his trial against Lively. (GC Images)
What followed was a routine, court-ordered settlement conference described as a final effort to reach an agreement ahead of the scheduled May 18 trial.
Lively arrived to the settlement conference solo, wearing a khaki green suit.
Baldoni arrived holding hands with wife of 13 years, Emily Baldoni.
The actor and director flashed a smile upon his arrival. He was too wearing a khaki green jacket.
The pair are believed to have spent most of the day in separate courtrooms on the 14th floor.
At the end of the day, neither said a word to the plethora of media waiting outside.
The pair came face-to-face for the first time amid the legal battle. (GC Images)
Baldoni and Lively starred in ill-fated book-to-film adaptation It Ends With Us. (Nicole Rivelli/Sony Pictures)
Lively has been enmeshed in an ongoing legal saga with Baldoni since late 2024, following bombshell sexual harassment allegations made by the actress.
The actress claimed she’d been the victim of “severe emotional distress” while on set for the film adaptation of It Ends With Us, which Baldoni both directed and starred in alongside her.
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Baldoni has vehemently denied these claims, launching a countersuit against Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds for defamation and extortion.
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