Judge Awards Justin Baldoni More Time in Ongoing ‘It Ends With Us’ Legal Drama With Blake Lively

Justin Baldoni scored a small victory in his ongoing legal drama with It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively.

The 42-year-old director and star of the troubled 2024 film was awarded more time after the actress’ legal team reportedly submitted a barrage of documents, including nearly 1,000 potential exhibits, ahead of trial.

People reported on Thursday, March 26, that Baldoni and his codefendants asked Judge Lewis J. Liman for a one-week extension on deadlines to submit pretrial filings and opposition to motions as well as for the final pretrial conference to be moved.

The publication reported that the judge granted an extension and set a status conference for April 2.

Lively, 38, and her team submitted what Baldoni’s side called a “document dump” filled with “disclosures that are not practical for trial purposes.”

The actress’ team, per People, called their ask for an extension “an incremental tactic to delay the trial.”

As Star previously reported, Lively has claimed that Baldoni inappropriately improvised on the set of It Ends With Us, making her feel uncomfortable.

The actress sued Baldoni and others, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation, claims that he has denied. Baldoni filed a countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and their publicist for extortion and defamation, but it was dismissed by a judge.

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, told reporters outside a New York City courthouse in February that a deal was not yet reached in Lively’s sexual harassment case against the 2024 film’s director and costar, according to Variety.

When Freedman was asked if he believes the case will go to trial, he reportedly said, “I do. We’re looking forward to it.”

Both actors are expected to testify if and when the case goes to trial, which is currently scheduled to begin in mid May.