(NewsNation) — In a surprise move, Justin Baldoni reportedly attended Blake Lively’s deposition in person as the legal battle between the actors continues to escalate, according to TMZ.

Sources told TMZ that Baldoni showed up at the New York City office of Lively’s lawyer Thursday as his attorneys questioned her related to a lawsuit she filed in December of last year alleging Baldoni sexually harassed her on the set of their film.

Baldoni directed and starred opposite Lively in “It Ends with Us,” which earned more than $351 million at the global box office, according to Box Office Mojo.  

Justin Baldoni: Blake Lively used ‘celebrity’ to set terms 

Last month, Judge Lewis J. Liman, who is presiding over the case, granted Lively’s request for a protective order keeping Baldoni’s team from choosing the location ahead of the deposition.   

Baldoni claimed Lively used her “celebrity status” to control the deposition and requested it be held “at a location of her choosing,” according to People Magazine. 

As NewsNation’s Paula Froelich has previously reported, Lively accused Baldoni and his producing partner, Jamey Heath, of crossing the line several times during the making of the film. Baldoni has argued Lively used her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, and celebrity friends, such as Taylor Swift, to take over his film.  

Liman threw out Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Lively and Reynolds in June. He said Baldoni’s team had not alleged Lively was responsible for any statements outside of her California Civil Rights Department complaint, which he said is privileged.   

Lively and Baldoni’s trial is scheduled for March 2026 in New York.