The conflict between It Ends with Us stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is dragging on as the two fail to arrive at an agreement even after a mediation process involving Magistrate Judge Sarah Cave at a federal court in New York. After the mediation, they exited their separate courtrooms without saying a word to the media, who thronged the court premises for the artists and/or their lawyers' reactions. Baldoni’s legal representative confirmed the lack of a deal between the two despite the court process. While the attorney shared that an agreement could still take place, he appeared to suggest that it is not likely and said that the case would go to trial.

The mediation is just a routine aspect of federal law. Both parties already held sessions with the judge, but there were no outward signs of either of them expecting the discussions to have any positive outcome.

Previously, Blake Lively alleged that Baldoni harassed her while working on their 2024 film It Ends with Us, and that he orchestrated a campaign with the sole intention of publicly defaming her after she raised a complaint. Reports say that a trial will take place on May 18 this year.

Lewis Liman, a New York judge, is thinking about throwing out or considerably paring back the complaint filed by Lively prior to the trial. Meanwhile, Baldoni's side has claimed that the case only adds up to petty grievances, which do not meet the level for harassment. In the meantime, Lively’s team has made note of other artists complaining about Baldoni’s on-set behaviour and claimed that the accusations amount to the extent that warrants a jury's intervention.

Besides starring in a key role, Baldoni also directed the 2024 film, a romance drama that reportedly minted more than 350 million at the global box office.