Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Seek Gag Order Against Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Following Footage Leak

By M Muzamil Shami - January 23, 2025

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' legal team is escalating its legal battle, requesting a gag order against Justin Baldoni's attorney after the release of raw, unedited on-set footage from It Ends With Us. This legal maneuver aims to restrict public statements about the ongoing lawsuit.

The Hollywood power couple has formally requested a federal judge to issue a gag order against Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's lawyer. This request follows the controversial release of behind-the-scenes footage from the set of It Ends With Us, intensifying the legal proceedings.

On Tuesday, Lively and Reynolds' legal representatives submitted a formal letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman, urging the court to prohibit Freedman from making further public pronouncements concerning the case. This action underscores their commitment to a fair legal process.

According to Lively and Reynolds' attorneys, Freedman's public commentary risks "tainting the jury pool" should Lively's sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni proceed to a full trial. This concern highlights the potential impact of pre-trial publicity on the impartiality of the legal process.

"As Ms. Lively’s counsel have attempted, repeatedly, to caution Mr. Freedman, federal litigation must be conducted in court and according to the relevant rules of professional conduct," the formal letter states, as reported by various media outlets. This statement emphasizes the importance of adhering to established legal protocols.

The letter further accuses Freedman of orchestrating a media campaign, alleging that he "has given television interviews, appeared on podcasts, issued inflammatory written statements, and leaked information… to the Hollywood press and tabloid media" almost daily since Lively filed her initial complaint on December 20. This accusation suggests a deliberate attempt to influence public opinion.

Lively’s legal team further asserts that Freedman’s statements are part of a calculated effort to damage her reputation and undermine her credibility. They specifically cite the release of behind-the-scenes footage depicting the co-stars filming a slow-dance scene, a key element mentioned in her original lawsuit. The motion also references Freedman’s alleged plans to launch a dedicated website aimed at directly refuting Lively’s allegations. This highlights the escalating nature of the conflict.

“Freedman’s behavior violates New York State’s Rules of Professional Conduct regarding trial publicity,” Lively’s attorneys firmly assert. This legal argument forms the basis of their request for a gag order.

Freedman, however, has publicly defended his actions, maintaining that Baldoni and his legal team "have the right to defend themselves with the truth." This counter-argument underscores the contentious nature of the legal dispute.

This legal dispute continues to escalate as Lively and Reynolds actively push back against what they characterize as a “campaign of retaliation,” citing Freedman’s conduct as further substantiation of their claims. This stance emphasizes their determination to pursue legal action.

The court has not yet issued a decision regarding the implementation of the requested gag order. This leaves the future course of public discourse surrounding the case uncertain. This legal battle involves key players in Hollywood, including Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Justin Baldoni, and their respective legal teams, focusing on issues of legal ethics, media influence, and the protection of legal proceedings. This case is being closely watched by legal experts and the public alike.