The legal battle between It Ends With Us co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has intensified, 

with Baldoni and his legal team pushing back against Lively’s request for an enhanced protective order. 

The dispute, which stems from Lively’s December 2024 lawsuit against Baldoni alleging sexual harassment on set, has taken another turn 

as both sides clash over access to case documents.

Baldoni’s Legal Team Accuses Lively of Hiding Information

Baldoni’s attorneys submitted to Judge Liman on Tuesday, challenging Lively’s attempt to restrict access to certain case materials. 

In the letter, Baldoni’s legal team accused the Gossip Girl alum of trying to keep key documents and evidence hidden from the public, despite previously sharing details of her claims with the media.

“Given how actively the Lively Parties have publicized and litigated Ms. Lively’s claims in the media, we are surprised to now learn how vehemently she wants to prevent the public from accessing material and relevant evidence,” the letter stated.

Baldoni’s legal team argued that Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, had already provided the New York Times with thousands of pages of case-related documents, including private text messages and emails.

The attorneys further alleged that Lively’s representatives had frequently spoken to the media to shape public perception, characterizing Baldoni’s countersuit as “another chapter in the abuse playbook.”

Ryan Reynolds’ SNL Skit Adds Fuel to the Fire

The ongoing dispute has also drawn in Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds. Baldoni’s legal team referenced Reynolds’ recent SNL 50 appearance on February 16, during which he made a joke about his wife’s allegations of sexual harassment and emotional distress. The letter argued that such actions contradicted Lively’s request for privacy in the legal proceedings.

In response, Lively’s attorneys sent their own letter to the judge, asserting that Baldoni’s statements only reinforced the need for a protective order. They emphasized that the heightened media attention surrounding the case justified restricting access to sensitive documents.

The Request for an Enhanced Protective Order

Lively’s legal team has formally asked the judge to classify certain evidence as “Attorney’s Eyes Only.” This designation would limit public access to specific materials that could be considered “highly confidential and personal, sensitive, or proprietary.”

According to documents obtained, this category would apply to any information whose release could cause “competitive, business, commercial, financial, personal, or privacy injury.” Lively’s attorneys argued that the case involves “high-profile individuals, to whom a duty of confidentiality is owed.”

Baldoni’s Claims of Media Bias

Baldoni’s legal team also took issue with how the case has been covered in the media, pointing out that certain online figures, including Perez Hilton and Candace Owens, had repeated claims that allegedly misrepresented Baldoni’s stance.

His lawyers stated that “the mischaracterization embraced by the Opposition through this manufactured echo chamber provides ample justification for a Protective Order.”

Background: Lively’s Allegations Against Baldoni

The legal battle began in December 2024 when Lively, 37, filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, 41, accusing him of sexually harassing her on the set of It Ends With Us. She also alleged that the Jane the Virgin star and his publicists had launched a smear campaign against her.

Baldoni has strongly denied all accusations, maintaining that Lively’s claims are false.

What Happens Next?

As the legal dispute continues, it remains unclear whether Judge Liman will grant Lively’s request for an enhanced protective order. With both sides presenting conflicting arguments—Baldoni pushing for transparency and Lively seeking confidentiality—the case is likely to remain a focal point of public and media scrutiny.

Neither Lively nor Reynolds has publicly responded to Baldoni’s latest legal challenge, and reported that their representatives did not immediately return requests for comment.

With the controversy surrounding It Ends With Us growing, it appears that the legal battle between Lively and Baldoni is far from over. Fans and industry insiders will be watching closely to see how the court responds to the latest filings and whether the case takes yet another dramatic turn.

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