A U.S. District Court judge has dismissed actor Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against actress Blake Lively, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between the two "It Ends With Us" co-stars. (apnews.com)
Background of the Legal Dispute
The conflict began in December 2024 when Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging that Justin Baldoni created a hostile work environment during the filming of "It Ends With Us." Lively accused Baldoni of inappropriate behavior, including unsolicited physical advances and boundary violations on set. (en.wikipedia.org)
In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit in January 2025 against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane. Baldoni’s suit alleged defamation, extortion, and invasion of privacy, claiming that Lively and her associates orchestrated a smear campaign to damage his reputation and wrest creative control of the film from him. (reuters.com)
Court’s Ruling
On June 9, 2025, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit. The judge ruled that Lively’s statements made in her initial complaint were legally protected and could not be the basis for a defamation claim. Additionally, the court found that Baldoni failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his allegations of extortion and defamation against Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane. (apnews.com)
Judge Liman also dismissed Baldoni’s related $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times, which had reported on Lively’s allegations. The court determined that the newspaper’s coverage was protected under the rights to free information and expression. (reuters.com)
Reactions and Implications
Blake Lively’s legal team hailed the dismissal as a complete vindication for the actress and those implicated in Baldoni’s lawsuit. They expressed intentions to seek attorneys’ fees and damages against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, for what they described as an abusive litigation process. (apnews.com)
The New York Times also welcomed the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of protecting press freedom and responsible journalism. (apnews.com)
Despite the dismissal of Baldoni’s lawsuit, the legal battle is not over. Lively’s original lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation, is scheduled for trial in March 2026. (huffingtonpost.es)
Broader Context
The controversy surrounding "It Ends With Us" has drawn significant attention, not only for the legal disputes but also for the broader discussions it has sparked about workplace behavior in the entertainment industry. The film, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel, was released in August 2024 and achieved box office success, grossing over $351 million worldwide. However, the off-screen drama has overshadowed its cinematic achievements, highlighting ongoing challenges related to power dynamics and accountability in Hollywood. (reuters.com)