In Dispute: Lively vs. Baldoni, premiering Monday, March 31, at 8 p.m. ET on ID and streaming on Max, delves into the legal clash between the It Ends With Us co-stars. Featuring insights from journalists, a public relations specialist, an intimacy coordinator, and legal analysts, the documentary provides an in-depth analysis of the case. However, neither Lively's nor Baldoni's legal teams participated.
Near the documentary's conclusion, attorney Dina Doll asserts, "In my professional opinion, Blake Lively has the stronger case. Justin Baldoni's arguments about fame and control don't directly counter her allegations of sexual harassment."
Doll points to accusations against Baldoni, including improvised kissing, explicit discussions about his genitalia, and conversations about pornography, as solid grounds for a harassment claim. "Regardless of the work environment, those claims present a strong legal basis for sexual harassment," she adds.
Throughout the documentary, Doll explains that Baldoni isn't necessarily denying the incidents occurred but instead argues they were consensual. "Both sides are eager to share their perspectives," she notes.
Lively's allegations, which surfaced in a December 2024 New York Times report, claim Baldoni sexually harassed her on set and later launched a smear campaign against her in retaliation for speaking out. Baldoni denies the allegations and has sued The Times for libel, though the newspaper stands by its reporting.
In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of extortion and defamation. He claims they used their Hollywood influence to damage his career and take control of his passion project. Lively's legal team has called his lawsuit "baseless."
Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, has remained firm, stating in March that Lively's claims are false and malicious. He insists her allegations will be disproven as the case moves forward. The trial is currently set for March 2026.
However, legal expert Gregory Doll, a partner at Doll Amir & Eley, predicts the case will likely settle before reaching trial. "Ninety-two percent of civil cases settle," he explains, though he warns that tensions will likely escalate before any resolution. "It's already nasty, and it's going to get nastier. Both sides have strong legal teams, but they'll face significant costs and emotional turmoil."
