Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds enjoyed a date night in New York City, which included reuniting with friend Hugh Jackman.
The couple were photographed on Tuesday, April 29, holding hands on their way to see Jackman’s Off-Broadway play, Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes. Reynolds, 48, and Lively, 37, were all smiles during the outing as Reynolds was seen hugging Jackman, 56.
Reynolds has been by Lively’s side this month ahead of the release of her Prime Video movie Another Simple Favor. The promotional tour for the A Simple Favor sequel comes amid Lively’s ongoing legal battle with her It Ends With Us costar and director Justin Baldoni.
The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover‘s book, which was released in August 2024, follows Lily Bloom (Lively) as her relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni) becomes abusive. She eventually finds an ally in her high school love interest, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar).
Blake Lively’s Public Appearances Since Her ‘It Ends With Us’ Legal Drama
Following months of speculation about tension between Lively and Baldoni on set, the actress accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, creating a “hostile work environment” and causing her “severe emotional distress” while working together in a December 2024 lawsuit.
In a statement provided to The New York Times, Lively said, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman, meanwhile, called Lively’s claims “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious,” alleging in a statement to Us Weekly that Lively filed the lawsuit to “fix her negative reputation” and “rehash a narrative” regarding the production of It Ends With Us. (Lively served as a producer on the movie.)
That same month, Baldoni was one of 10 plaintiffs who launched a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for its coverage of Lively’s accusations. A spokesperson for the The New York Times told Us that the outlet planned to “vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”
Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios also filed a lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds and Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, seeking $400 million in damages. The lawsuit, filed in January, included accusations of civil extortion, defamation, false light invasion of privacy and other claims.
“This latest lawsuit from Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its associates is another chapter in the abuser playbook. This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim. This is what experts call DARVO. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender,” read a response from Lively’s team at the time. “Wayfarer has opted to use the resources of its billionaire co-founder to issue media statements, launch meritless lawsuits, and threaten litigation to overwhelm the public’s ability to understand that what they are doing is retaliation against sexual harassment allegations.”
Lively and Reynolds both filed paperwork to dismiss Baldoni’s claims, while their publicist requested to be removed from the lawsuit. Baldoni and his legal team recently argued that Reynolds’ motion for dismissal should be denied, calling Reynolds his wife’s “co-conspirator.”
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Reported ‘It Ends With Us’ Drama Explained
A spokesperson for Reynolds addressed the filing in a statement to Us.
“The main takeaway from the Wayfarer Parties’ opposition to Ryan’s motion to dismiss their case is that they finally realize the plain defects in their complaint,” the statement read. “They once again claim defamation without alleging who was defamed, what specifically was said, or how anyone suffered actual harm.”
The statement continued: “Unlike Mr. Baldoni, who built his brand pretending to be a man who is ‘confident enough to listen’ to the women in his life, Ryan Reynolds actually is that man and he will continue to support his wife as she stands up to the individuals who not only harassed her but then have retaliated against her. Under New York law, California law, and indeed in every jurisdiction of the United States this lawsuit not only fails but may result in the Wayfarer Parties covering Ryan’s costs and attorneys’ fees for bringing such a frivolous case in the first place.”
Lively and Baldoni’s trial is set to begin on March 9, 2026.
