Blake Lively's Legal Battle Could Drag Ryan Reynolds Taylor Swift and Hollywood Elite to Court
A number of well-known companions and professional associates of Blake Lively and It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni might be compelled to give testimony in their forthcoming 2026 legal proceedings.
Lively initiated a sexual harassment lawsuit against her former colleague in December 2024, alleging Baldoni was responsible for fostering a “hostile work environment” and orchestrating a “social manipulation” campaign designed to “ruin” Lively’s reputation. Baldoni refuted all allegations and filed a counter-suit in January 2025, which Lively successfully moved to have dismissed by a New York district court judge that June.
Both parties have since redirected their legal efforts toward an impending civil trial, scheduled to commence on March 9, 2026, unless a resolution is reached outside of court beforehand.
Lively has already affirmed her intent to provide testimony at the trial, where she is seeking at least $161 million in damages — but several other prominent public figures could also be summoned to the witness stand.
The State of Blake Lively's Relationships Amid Justin Baldoni Legal Controversy
Continue reading for additional specifics on which celebrities might serve as witnesses in the sexual harassment trial.
Ryan Reynolds
Us Weekly acquired court documents filed in July 2025 and made public in November 2025, in which Lively’s legal counsel listed numerous “individuals who are likely to possess discoverable information” that could prove valuable during the trial. Not all these individuals are guaranteed to be called to testify, as some may simply provide beneficial evidence.
Among those cited by Lively was her spouse, Ryan Reynolds, who had previously been named as a co-defendant in Baldoni’s subsequently dismissed counter-claim.
Reynolds requested to be removed from the case in March 2025, with his lawyers contending that Baldoni’s team could not “pinpoint a single purportedly defamatory statement” from the Deadpool actor.
“The entirety of Mr. Baldoni’s case appears to hinge on Mr. Reynolds allegedly privately referring to Mr. Baldoni as a ‘predator,’ but the issue is, this doesn’t constitute defamation unless they can demonstrate that Mr. Reynolds did not genuinely believe that assertion to be true,” Reynolds’ attorneys informed Us. “The complaint does not allege this, and in fact, the allegations within the complaint suggest that Mr. Reynolds sincerely believes Mr. Baldoni is a predator.”
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, defended Reynolds’ inclusion in the counter-suit and characterized the actor as a “co-conspirator” in the smear campaign directed against the filmmaker.
Baldoni’s counter-suit was ultimately dismissed in June 2025.
Taylor Swift
Swift found herself drawn into her friend Lively’s disagreement with Baldoni almost from the outset, despite her consistent efforts to avoid involvement in the legal proceedings. Swift’s connection revolved around granting permission for her track “My Tears Ricochet” to be used in It Ends With Us, alongside allegations that she offered input on the film’s contentious rooftop sequence.
In May 2025, the “Fate of Ophelia” vocalist’s representative informed Us that she made no “casting or creative decisions” regarding the major motion picture.
“She did not compose music for the film, she never viewed an edit or provided any comments on the film,” her spokesperson stated. “She did not even see It Ends With Us until weeks following its public release, and was touring globally throughout 2023 and 2024, headlining the most extensive tour in history.”
As the discovery phase for Lively’s lawsuit commenced, Baldoni’s legal representatives submitted court documents asserting that Swift “consented to appear” for a deposition in October 2025.
Blake Lively's Attorney Criticizes Potential Subpoenas for Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift
Once more, Swift’s spokesperson endeavored to distance the musician from the case by clarifying that she was not voluntarily agreeing to be deposed.
“As the parties’ counsel are aware, since the inception of this matter, we have consistently maintained that my client plays no material role in this action,” Swift’s legal team wrote to Judge Lewis J. Liman on September 12. “Furthermore, my client did not agree to a deposition, but if she is compelled to attend a deposition, we advised (after first learning about the deposition just three days ago) that her schedule would accommodate the necessary time during the week of October 20 if the parties could resolve their disagreements. We play no part in those disputes.”
Judge Liman ruled that Baldoni’s lawyers would not be permitted to depose Swift before the official conclusion of the discovery process.
“The sole justification they have offered for the extension is their assertion that Swift’s pre-existing professional commitments now prevent her from appearing for a deposition prior to October 20, 2025,” he wrote. “Discovery has been ongoing in this case for approximately six months. They have presented no proof that they have served a renewed subpoena on Swift. … Having failed to demonstrate appropriate diligence, the requested extension is denied.”
Lively’s legal team later specifically mentioned Swift in unsealed disclosure documents. Lively’s attorneys claimed that, due to Swift’s contribution to the It Ends With Us soundtrack, she may possess knowledge of “the parties’ alleged conduct; complaints or discussions concerning the work environment or behavior on the Film’s set; the production editing, cut, and creative process associated with the Film; publicity surrounding the Film; the retaliation campaign asserted by Ms. Lively and resultant damages suffered,” according to Deadline.
Hugh Jackman
Jackman co-starred with Reynolds in the 2024 Marvel Studios film Deadpool & Wolverine, which unexpectedly became entangled in Lively and Baldoni’s legal conflict. Baldoni’s team alleged that Reynolds’ Deadpool variant character Nicepool might have been a thinly veiled jab at his wife’s It Ends With Us director.
Baldoni’s team previously subpoenaed Marvel Studios and Disney executives in January 2025, requesting any and all documents “pertaining to or indicating a deliberate attempt to mock, harass, ridicule, intimidate, or bully Baldoni through the character of Nicepool” for their now-dismissed lawsuit.
“It is imperative that Marvel undertakes every reasonable measure to safeguard this information until further notice,” Freedman requested.
Jackman may be called upon to testify in the 2026 trial about his personal connections with close friends Lively and Reynolds. Beyond their acting careers, the Deadpool & Wolverine co-stars are also partial owners in an Australian SailGP team.
Emily Blunt
Blunt was listed in Lively’s team’s disclosure forms as an individual with potentially “discoverable information” pertinent to the case.
Lively and Reynolds share a long-standing friendship with Blunt and her husband, John Krasinski.
‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ Cast
Other individuals listed by Lively’s team with possible “discoverable information” included her former Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, and Alexis Bledel.
The trio issued a unified statement of support for Lively when she initially pursued legal action against Baldoni in December 2024.
“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over two decades, we stand in solidarity with her as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to undermine her reputation,” they declared. “Throughout the filming of It Ends with Us, we witnessed her courageously advocate for a safe workplace for herself and her colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vengeful effort that subsequently ensued to silence her voice. Most distressing is the blatant exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to quiet a woman who requested safety. The hypocrisy is astonishing.”
Their statement concluded, “We were struck by the realization that even a woman as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake can face forceful retaliation for daring to request a safe working environment. We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others.”
Jenny Slate and ‘It Ends With Us’ Collaborators
In October 2025, Us Weekly reported that Jenny Slate — alongside It Ends With Us co-star Isabela Ferrer and book author Colleen Hoover — were all deposed prior to the 2026 trial. Slate and Ferrer reportedly gave depositions in summer 2025, while Hoover responded to questions later in the year.
Slate — who portrayed Baldoni’s onscreen sister in It Ends With Us — came to Lively’s defense when her co-star initially filed a complaint against the director with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024.
“As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an assault on her reputation,” Slate told NBC’s Today. “Blake is a leader, a devoted friend, and a trusted source of emotional support for me and many others who know and love her.”
Gigi Hadid
Lively’s team’s disclosure documents mentioned individuals who may have heard her “complaints or discussions regarding the work environment or conduct on the set of” It Ends With Us. As one of Lively’s close confidantes, Hadid could fall into this category.
Scooter Braun
Braun was named by Lively’s legal team as someone who might possess information concerning Baldoni’s “conduct” and “the retaliation campaign alleged by Ms. Lively.”
Baldoni has maintained a friendship with Braun in the past, with the two even recording a podcast together discussing the implications of the #MeToo Movement in 2018.
Candace Owens
The conservative commentator was identified as someone Lively’s team considered subpoenaing in July 2025, along with podcaster Andy Signore and blogger Perez Hilton.
“Given the fact that I have not yet received any subpoena, I appreciate Blake’s team leaking this to TMZ to bring it to my attention,” Owens stated to People at the time. “And, of course, I have no idea whatsoever what I am being subpoenaed for, as I was acquainted with none of these parties when their respective lawsuits were filed. But stay tuned, and I’ll inform my audience on my podcast.”
Lively’s team eventually did cite Owens as an individual they were considering for testimony in unsealed court documents.
