Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in It Ends With Us movie. Credit: Instagram @itendswithusmovie
A US judge has dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million (€370 million) defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, calling it legally insufficient.
The ruling, made on Monday, June 9, marks a dramatic turn in the months-long legal feud surrounding the 2024 film It Ends With Us.
Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit called “a sham” by Lively’s legal team
The lawsuit, filed in January, accused Lively and Reynolds of trying to “destroy” Baldoni’s career and hijack the film he directed and co-starred in with Lively. Baldoni also sued The New York Times for $250 million (€219.4 million), claiming it published a defamatory article based on Lively’s “self-serving narrative.”
But Judge Lewis Liman rejected the claims. According to the ruling, Baldoni failed to prove defamation, extortion, or interference with contracts. The judge said:
“The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her lawsuit, which are privileged.” (Cited by the BBC).
He also said The New York Times did not act with actual malice, adding that the publication had “no obvious motive to favour Lively’s version of events.”
In a statement, Lively’s lawyers Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb said the ruling was “a total victory and a complete vindication” and called the lawsuit “a sham.” (Cited by CNN).
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively background: harassment claims and public fallout
The legal battle between Baldoni and Lively began in December 2024, when Lively filed a civil rights lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on set and of launching a smear campaign when she spoke out. Her filing included hundreds of text messages allegedly showing Baldoni’s PR team trying to “bury” her.
Baldoni denied all allegations and responded with his own defamation suit, which has now been dismissed. The court did, however, allow Baldoni until June 23 to refile some claims related to contract interference and breach of implied covenant – acting in bad faith.
At one point, the case even involved pop star Taylor Swift, who was briefly summoned by Baldoni’s team before they withdrew it.
The ongoing fallout has sparked intense public debate, especially given the film’s subject matter: domestic abuse and survival.
Who do you think is in the wrong? Let us know in the comments below.
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