CBC News: What you need to know, so far, about the Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni legal feud

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Ryan Reynolds (CBC News)

Actress Blake Lively and her It Ends with Us costar and director Justin Baldoni could be heading to trial, as a New York judge has set a trial date in the ever-escalating public and legal battle between the Hollywood figures.

It's the latest development in a case that involves allegations of sexual harassment and smear campaigns, all tied to the making of the hit film.

None of the allegations have yet to be tested in a courtroom, but that hasn't stopped the public-relations battle and the attempt to shape the narrative in the court of public opinion.

Tieja MacLaughlin, a Toronto-based crisis public relations consultant, said that in terms of crisis PR, Baldoni's team has the upper hand, at least for the moment.

"Baldoni’s team has been proactive from the beginning. Lively's team is behind the 8-ball when they're reacting instead of controlling the narrative and controlling the message, which the Baldoni team is doing so well.”