Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Trial Postponed as Judge Cites Packed Federal Schedule; New Date Set for May 2026

A major Hollywood legal battle is now on hold. The high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit between actress Blake Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni will no longer begin in March 2026 as planned. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman postponed the trial, citing unavoidable scheduling conflicts with higher-priority federal criminal cases. The new trial date is May 18, 2026, extending a bitter dispute that has dominated entertainment headlines for more than a year.

A Hollywood Feud That Turned Into a Courtroom War

Lively filed her lawsuit in December 2024, alleging that Baldoni sexually harassed her during production of It Ends With Us. Baldoni, who directed the film, denied the accusations outright. By January 2025, the legal conflict escalated into a full-scale courtroom showdown when Baldoni countersued Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane for $400 million, accusing them of defamation and extortion.

Judge Liman dismissed the massive countersuit in June 2025, ruling that Baldoni’s team failed to demonstrate that the defendants acted with “actual malice.” A separate $250 million libel lawsuit Baldoni filed against The New York Times met the same fate shortly after. The decisions narrowed the conflict back to Lively’s original allegations, though tensions between both sides remained high.

Public Attacks Fuel the Off-Screen Drama

The case has repeatedly spilled into the public arena. Baldoni accused Lively of “playing the victim” and following a celebrity-driven PR strategy. He also shared a personal anecdote about a conversation at Lively’s home involving circumcision—a detail that puzzled observers and added yet another layer of strangeness to the increasingly hostile feud.

Despite the public spectacle, the legal process moves forward. The next key milestone is January 22, 2026, when both sides will argue summary judgment motions. This hearing could reshape or potentially limit the claims that proceed to trial in May.

Why the Delay Matters

Judge Liman explained that a series of criminal trials requiring priority handling forced the civil case to be delayed. Federal courts give precedence to criminal matters with deadlines tied to defendants’ rights, leaving civil cases—no matter how high-profile—subject to rescheduling.

The postponement guarantees that the Lively–Baldoni dispute will remain in the spotlight through early 2026. With tensions already high and unresolved questions still circulating, the extended wait adds even more anticipation to what could become one of the most closely watched celebrity trials in years.

Key Questions and Fast Answers

• Q1: Why was the trial delayed?
  Judge cited criminal trial scheduling conflicts.

• Q2: What are the core allegations?
  Lively accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment during filming.

• Q3: What happened to Baldoni’s $400M lawsuit?
  It was dismissed by Judge Liman in June 2025.

• Q4: What did Baldoni say publicly?
  He accused Lively of “playing the victim” and shared personal anecdotes about private conversations.

• Q5: What is the next key date?
  January 22, 2026, for summary judgment arguments.

• Q6: When is the new trial date?
  May 18, 2026.