Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle might have ended, but it has reportedly cost them “millions.” Legal experts recently shared their opinions on the high-profile battle related to the actors’ movie, “It Ends With Us.” In late December 2024, Lively took legal action, accusing her co-star of sexual harassment on set. On May 4, the two parties reportedly settled their dispute weeks before a trial.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle ‘came at a steep cost,’ claim experts
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle has reportedly come at a “steep cost.” Legal experts Richard Schoenstein and Megan Thomas told PEOPLE that the actors’ “legal expense is in the multiple millions,” calling it “obscene.” They revealed that both parties had multiple lawyers from “high-priced firms” allegedly charging “over $1,000 an hour.”
For those unversed, Lively and Baldoni worked together in the 2024 movie, “It Ends With Us.” Months after the release, the “Gossip Girl” alum sued her co-star for alleged sexual harassment. Later, Baldoni files a countersuit against the diva, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist for defamation. After it was dismissed in court, the Hollywood stars’ legal battle turned ugly.
After years of lawsuits, media attention, and retaliation, both parties reportedly settled their case on May 4. The settlement took place two weeks before their trial. According to attorney Schoenstein, the case was settled reportedly because it was “not worth it at this point.”
“The case had been reduced — his counterclaims were dismissed, and her claims were substantially narrowed. There wasn’t enough to gain from going to trial, given the cost, which would have been extremely high, in the millions,” he claimed.
Furthermore, he mentioned that Lively was reportedly leaning towards the winning side in the beginning. But after several of her claims were dismissed in court, her “power was reduced.” Meanwhile, Thomas believed that the “Age of Adeline” star could allegedly be at an advantage if the battle continued.
