NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni attended a New York courthouse on Wednesday to explore the possibility of settling Lively's sexual harassment lawsuit stemming from the set of their 2024 romantic drama It Ends With Us. After a six-hour negotiation between attorneys, both left separately without commenting. Lively appeared serious as she exited, while Baldoni was seen smiling.

Despite the lengthy discussions, Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman confirmed there was no settlement reached during this mandatory pretrial negotiation. This ongoing lawsuit has highlighted significant discussions on power, influence, and gender dynamics prevalent within the Hollywood industry.

In her lawsuit, Lively accused Baldoni and his crisis communication expert of harassment and organizing attempts to damage her reputation following her complaints about Baldoni's treatment during filming.

Baldoni's Wayfarer Studios has countersued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, claiming defamation and extortion; however, this suit was dismissed last June.

The upcoming trial, set for May 18, is anticipated to attract considerable media attention, with prominent figures like singer Taylor Swift, model Gigi Hadid, and actors including Emily Blunt and Hugh Jackman potentially called as witnesses.