Blake Lively’s Deposition Date Set In Justin Baldoni Legal Battle

The legal battle between "It Ends With Us" co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is heating up, and the next significant moment is just days away.

According to newly filed court documents, Blake Lively is scheduled to be deposed on July 17, marking a significant step forward in the discovery process of her ongoing civil suit against Baldoni.

The date was disclosed in a July 2 email submitted in a filing obtained by PEOPLE related to subpoenas served by Lively's legal team to two publicists connected to Baldoni, who are not parties in the case. Their attorney asked for a one-week extension to produce documents, revealing the upcoming deposition in the process.

Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, allegations the "Jane the Virgin" actor-director has strongly denied.

Earlier this year, a federal judge dismissed Baldoni's explosive $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, which included claims of extortion and defamation. Baldoni's team opted not to amend or refile the claims.

The countdown to Blake Lively's July 17 deposition comes on the heels of a dramatic new twist in the case as three high-profile media figures have now been dragged into the legal battle.

According to TMZ, controversial personalities Perez Hilton, Candace Owens, and Andy Signore have each received subpoenas, requiring them to turn over all communications with Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer team as part of an investigation into alleged efforts to discredit Lively publicly.

The trio, all known for their highly followed online platforms, are being accused of engaging in targeted smear campaigns against the "Gossip Girl" alum, using their media influence to sway public perception in Baldoni's favor. Owens, Hilton, and Signore have reportedly discussed the case on multiple occasions, often casting Lively in a negative light and voicing strong support for Baldoni.

The new subpoenas are directly tied to a recent court order that granted Lively's legal team permission to investigate potential collaboration between Baldoni's camp and online commentators. The court is now allowing her attorneys to dig into whether coordinated messaging was being used to harm her reputation.

Now, with the trial set for March 2026 in New York, both sides are gearing up for what promises to be a headline-making courtroom battle. Attorneys for Lively and Baldoni have both indicated that their clients plan to testify in person.

"The ultimate moment for a plaintiff's story to be told is at trial," Lively's attorney, Mike Gottlieb, told PEOPLE in May. "We expect that to be the case here. Of course, she's going to testify."

Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, previously discussed his strategy for questioning Lively in a June 10 interview on TMZ Live, claiming they were prepared to fact-check her story with video footage, text messages, and emails.

"I'm gonna ask her questions under penalty of perjury," Freedman said. "And she's gonna have to provide evidence… We're gonna see how consistent her testimony is with the actual facts of what transpired."

Freedman added that his client is eager to have his name cleared.

"Justin is a person who wants to be vindicated, and that's all that he cares about," he said. "He knows who he is. He knows what he's done. He knows what he hasn't done… He's waiting for his day in court."

After the court tossed out Baldoni's countersuit, Lively issued a powerful statement about standing firm in the face of retaliation.

"Like so many others, I've felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us," she said.

The "Gossip Girl" alum added, "I am more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman's right to have a voice in protecting themselves, including their safety, their integrity, their dignity, and their story."

With Lively's deposition around the corner, the stakes couldn't be higher. As both sides prepare for trial, the world will be watching closely, and so will Hollywood.