Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Attend Settlement Talks in New York

Actors and director met for six hours in effort to avoid upcoming trial over harassment allegations

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni attended a mandatory settlement conference in a New York courthouse on Wednesday in an effort to resolve Lively's lawsuit alleging sexual harassment on the set of their 2024 film "It Ends With Us" before a scheduled trial in May. The talks went on for six hours, but the two left separately without commenting, with Lively looking stern and Baldoni smiling as they departed to their waiting cars.

Why it matters

The high-profile case has drawn widespread attention in the entertainment industry, raising questions about power dynamics and gender issues in Hollywood. A settlement could avoid a potentially star-studded trial that was expected to include testimony from numerous celebrities.

The details

Lively sued Baldoni and his production company, alleging harassment and a coordinated campaign to attack her reputation after she complained about his treatment of her on the movie set. Baldoni and his company countersued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, but that suit was dismissed last June.

  • The settlement talks took place on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
  • The trial in the case was scheduled for May 18, 2026.

The players

Blake Lively

An American actress known for roles in films such as "Gossip Girl" and "The Shallows".

Justin Baldoni

An American actor, director, and producer, known for directing the 2019 film "Five Feet Apart".

Wayfarer Studios

Baldoni's production company that was named in the countersuit against Lively and her husband.

Ryan Reynolds

A Canadian actor known for playing the title role in the "Deadpool" films, who is married to Blake Lively.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.