James Brolin Voices Support for Justin Baldoni Amid Legal Feud with Blake Lively
As the legal battle between It Ends With Us co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni intensifies, veteran actor James Brolin has publicly expressed his support for Baldoni.
The dispute, which centers on allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, is set for trial on March 9, 2026, in New York’s U.S. District Court for the Southern District. Brolin’s comments, reported by People Magazine on July 15, 2025, highlight Baldoni’s talent and character, adding a new layer to the high-profile Hollywood feud.
This article examines Brolin’s remarks, the ongoing legal saga, and the broader context of the case.
James Brolin’s Endorsement of Baldoni
James Brolin, who collaborated with Justin Baldoni on the 2011 short film Royal Reunion, praised the actor-director during an interview with People Magazine. Reflecting on their time working together, Brolin described Baldoni as inquisitive and helpful, noting, “He asked so many questions, he was so helpful.”
He expressed pride in Baldoni’s career trajectory, highlighting his evolution from a single episode of Jane the Virgin to directing three films, including It Ends With Us, and authoring two books on masculinity and personal growth.
“I’m so proud of Justin Baldoni because God, he’s written two wonderful books on being a man and being courteous and teaching boys not to fear their fears,” Brolin said, also referencing Baldoni’s TED Talks advocating for positive change.Brolin’s support comes at a critical juncture in Baldoni’s legal battle with Lively.
While acknowledging the dispute, Brolin remained neutral on the specifics, stating, “I don’t understand what’s going on right now, but I hope it works out.” His comments underscore Baldoni’s reputation as a dedicated professional and advocate, contrasting with the allegations leveled against him by Lively.
Brolin’s endorsement is significant given his stature in Hollywood, potentially bolstering Baldoni’s public image as the case draws widespread attention.
The Legal Battle: A Recap
The feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, which began during the production and promotion of It Ends With Us, escalated in December 2024 when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on set and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign.
Her federal lawsuit, filed in New York on December 31, 2024, named Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and associated publicists, alleging they created a hostile work environment and attempted to damage her reputation after she raised concerns.
A New York Times article published on December 21, 2024, titled “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine,” included text messages purportedly showing Baldoni’s team planning to counter negative press about him.Baldoni denied the allegations and responded in January 2025 with a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times, claiming defamation, extortion, and invasion of privacy.
He alleged Lively fabricated the harassment claims to seize creative control of the film. However, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni’s suit in June 2025, ruling that he failed to prove defamation or extortion, as Lively’s statements in her complaint were legally privileged and the Times article showed no “actual malice.”
Baldoni was given until June 23, 2025, to refile limited contract-related claims but chose not to, effectively ending his countersuit.
Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni and his associates remains active, with the trial scheduled for March 9, 2026. Recent developments include Lively’s victory on July 14, 2025, when Judge Liman granted her motion for a protective order, allowing her to choose the location for her deposition on July 17, 2025, to prevent it from becoming a “media spectacle.”
Lively’s team also secured subpoenas against telecom companies and figures like Perez Hilton and Candace Owens to investigate the alleged smear campaign, while Baldoni’s attempt to subpoena Taylor Swift was withdrawn after her team clarified she had no role in the film’s creative decisions.
A Polarizing Hollywood Saga
The legal battle has been marked by intense media scrutiny and public division. Lively’s team has accused Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, of waging a “retaliatory media campaign,” citing a website, thelawsuitinfo.com, launched by Baldoni’s team to share court documents and a 168-page timeline of events.
Judge Liman warned both sides on February 3, 2025, against litigating in the press, threatening to move up the trial date if public statements risked prejudicing the jury.
Lively’s attorneys have portrayed Baldoni as contradicting his public feminist persona, with 19 women’s rights organizations, including the National Organization for Women, filing amicus briefs in June 2025 supporting her claims and accusing Baldoni of using the “DARVO” tactic (deny, attack, reverse victim and offender).
Baldoni’s camp, however, maintains that Lively’s allegations are “categorically false” and part of a calculated effort to tarnish his reputation. Freedman has pointed to text messages and emails on thelawsuitinfo com, including friendly exchanges between Lively and Baldoni, to argue that her claims lack merit.
A notable example is a text from Lively describing her “flirty and yummy” banter as her “love language,” which Baldoni’s team claims contradicts her harassment narrative. The dismissal of Baldoni’s countersuit was celebrated by Lively’s team as a “total victory,” but Freedman insisted they would “march forward” with new evidence in the upcoming trial.
Brolin’s Comments in Context
Brolin’s support for Baldoni is a rare public endorsement in a case where many of Baldoni’s former colleagues, including talent agency WME and co-star Isabela Ferrer, have distanced themselves from him.
WME dropped Baldoni as a client in December 2024, though they denied Lively and Reynolds’ influence, and several It Ends With Us cast members, including Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar, have unfollowed him on social media. Lively, meanwhile, has garnered support from advocacy groups and celebrities like her sister Robyn Lively, who praised her after the dismissal of Baldoni’s suit.
Brolin’s remarks focus on Baldoni’s professional achievements, including his books Man Enough and Boys Will Be Human, which advocate for redefining masculinity, and his TED Talks on gender and vulnerability.
By emphasizing Baldoni’s contributions, Brolin indirectly challenges the narrative of misconduct, though his neutral stance on the legal specifics avoids direct confrontation with Lively’s claims. His comments may resonate with those who view Baldoni as a victim of an unfair campaign, as suggested by some X posts, but they are unlikely to sway the legal proceedings.
What Lies Ahead
The March 2026 trial will be a critical showdown, with Lively expected to testify about her allegations of harassment and retaliation, while Baldoni’s team aims to refute her claims with documentary evidence.
Lively’s withdrawal of emotional distress claims in June 2025, after Baldoni’s team requested her medical records, streamlined her case, though she can still pursue emotional damages through other claims like harassment and retaliation. The protective order for her deposition ensures a controlled environment, addressing concerns about media exploitation raised by her attorney, Michael Gottlieb.
The case has broader implications for Hollywood, highlighting issues of workplace misconduct, power dynamics, and the role of public relations in shaping narratives. It Ends With Us, a film about domestic abuse that grossed $345 million globally, has been overshadowed by the feud, with a sequel based on Colleen Hoover’s It Starts With Us now in doubt.
Legal expert Gregory Doll told People that a settlement is likely, given that 92% of civil cases resolve before trial, but the public nature of this dispute suggests it may go the distance.Brolin’s support adds a humanizing perspective to Baldoni’s side, but with the trial over seven months away, both parties face a long road of legal and public scrutiny.
As Lively and Baldoni prepare for their day in court, the saga continues to captivate audiences, blending Hollywood drama with serious allegations of misconduct.
