Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: Star-Studded Legal Feud

0:00It's April 21st, entertainment and celebrity news. Today starts now, AI-powered and spotlight-ready. I'm Cory with the story. The legal feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni from The Items with his movie just hit a new level with a witness list packing over 40. Names, like a Hollywood red carpet, Ryan Reynolds tops the list, joined by co-stars Ginny Slate and Isabella Ferrer, lively sister Robin, author Colleen Hoover, and a bunch of publicists. Trial kicks off May 18th. Earlier this month, 10 of Lively's 13 claims got tossed, leaving just retaliation and breach of contract. She says Baldoni's team coordinated to trash her rep during the film's promo push. He denies it all. Stakes stay sky high, though, with her lawyers eyeing 142 million, up to nearly 300 million in damages. Folks in the industry are buzzing about how this list shakes things up. Defamation expert Danny Karen says naming friends and family puts real pressure on both sides, making them rethink going to trial since witnesses face.

1:03Tough cross-exams that could burn bridges. Meanwhile, lawyer Michael Elkins calls it standard federal court stuff. Both camps already knew most names from Discovery, but the star power amps the spotlight, turning a routine filing into primetime drama. As May 18th nears, this star pack showdown could push a settlement or explode in court, either way, Hollywood's watching every move.