Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds step out for 'SNL50' premiere amid 'It Ends with Us' lawsuits
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are taking a break from their legal battle with "It Ends with Us" star Justin Baldoni for a few good laughs.
The A-list couple, who are in ongoing litigation with Lively's former co-star and director, appeared at the Sunday premiere of "SNL50: The Anniversary Special." The star-studded NBC broadcast celebrated the 50th anniversary of the iconic sketch comedy series with a three-hour special.
Lively sparkled on the red carpet in a silver, floral-accented dress, while Reynolds looked dapper in a midnight navy tuxedo from Thom Sweeney. The pair appeared in high spirits, with both actors flashing smiles for the cameras.
Reynolds later had a cameo on the show and alluded to his and Lively's legal drama. During a segment where Tina Fey and Amy Poehler took questions from the studio audience, Reynolds stood up. When Poehler asked the "Deadpool" star how he was doing, he replied, "Great. Why, what have you heard?"
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Lively and Reynolds' appearance comes after the couple became embroiled in a legal dispute with Baldoni, who worked with Lively on a controversial adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel.
In December 2024, Lively filed a legal complaint against Baldoni alleging sexual harassment during the film's production, including claims that Baldoni colluded with crisis PR firm fixers to "destroy" Lively's career in a choreographed attempt to conceal his alleged abuse.
Lively followed up the complaint with a formal lawsuit on New Year's Eve. That same day, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit of his own against The New York Times, alleging the publication relied on "'cherry-picked' and altered communications" in its reporting on Lively's allegations.
Baldoni, who claims Reynolds "aggressively berated" him during a meeting at the couple's New York penthouse, took legal action against him and Lively in a Jan. 16 lawsuit accusing the actors of defamation and extortion.
Baldoni and his lawyers have gone on the offensive amid the actors' mounting legal battle, releasing behind-the-scenes footage of Baldoni and Lively working together and launching a website that allegedly includes communications from Baldoni with Lively and Reynolds.
However, in a Feb. 3 ruling, attorneys for both Baldoni and Lively were admonished to not publicly discuss the actors' competing civil lawsuits. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman adopted a New York state rule barring most out-of-court statements that could affect a case's outcome, with an exception for protecting a client from prejudicial adverse publicity.
Liman previously said he plans to consolidate the sides' respective lawsuits, with a trial scheduled for March 9, 2026.
(This story was updated to add new information and correct a typo.)
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman and Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY; Luc Cohen, Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively at 'SNL50' premiere amid legal drama
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