Neither actor was present for the hearing in New York.
Lively and Baldoni had been set to face off in trial over Lively’s claims that Baldoni sexually harassed her on the set of their 2024 film “It Ends With Us,” based on the Colleen Hoover novel, and subsequently led a campaign to damage her reputation. The two announced a settlement approximately one month ago, avoiding trial.
As part of the broader dispute, Baldoni had filed a countersuit alleging that Lively defamed and extorted him. A judge dismissed that countersuit last year. Lively’s lawyers now argue that under California law, the dismissal entitles her to recover her legal fees and potentially other penalties from Baldoni.
Neither the financial terms of the settlement nor the amount of legal fees Lively is seeking were made public.
Garofalo, representing Baldoni, pushed back during Monday’s hearing, telling the court that Lively was trying to relitigate matters that the settlement was designed to resolve. She said the settlement was concluded without Baldoni or his production company “paying a cent of the $300 million in damages she was demanding.”
Liman did not issue a ruling from the bench Monday, according to the Associated Press.
The case is one of several high-profile legal disputes that have surrounded the production and release of “It Ends With Us,” which became a commercial success upon its release in 2024 amid growing public tension between its two lead actors.