A legal dispute linked to the film It Ends With Us is set to head to trial next month after settlement efforts between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively failed, according to a recent court filing.
The case, which has drawn attention in Hollywood circles, will proceed on May 18, with Baldoni expected to testify in person despite being dismissed as a defendant earlier in the proceedings. In a filing dated April 9, Baldoni’s legal team said he would appear as a witness alongside producer Jamey Heath and crisis publicist Melissa Nathan.
“Dismissed defendants Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath and Melissa Nathan will appear to provide in-person testimony as their statements remain relevant to refute the plaintiff’s allegations,” the filing stated, according to documents obtained by People Magazine.
The dispute stems from allegations made by Lively, best known for her role in the television series Gossip Girl. However, the court has already dismissed several of her claims, including an allegation of harassment. The judge ruled that the claim did not meet the legal threshold, noting that Lively and Baldoni worked as colleagues of equal standing as executive producers rather than in an employer-employee relationship.
While Baldoni has been removed as an individual defendant, his production company, Wayfarer Studios, remains part of the lawsuit and will continue to face the remaining claims in court.
The upcoming trial is expected to focus on the unresolved allegations, including claims related to an alleged smear campaign, as both sides prepare to present their arguments before the court.