On June 11, 2025, Us District Court Judge Lewis Liman dismissed the defamation lawsuit filed by actor and director Justin Baldoni against Blake Lively, the co-star of “It Ends With Us”. Lively previously accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, while Baldoni and the production company Wayfarer Studios counter-sued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds for defamation and extortion, demanding $400 million in compensation. The judge ruled that Lively’s charges in the legal proceedings were not bound by defamation charges, and the dispute over her creative control rights did not constitute extortion. However, Baldoni can amend the lawsuit and file a new claim for breach of contract. His lawyer said further actions will be taken.
This lawsuit originated from Lively’s sexual harassment allegations against Baldoni in 2024. Although the film “It Ends With Us” performed well at the box office, it was overshadowed by the disputes between the two sides. The judge also dismissed Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, which had reported Lively’s accusations. Lively’s lawyers described the ruling as a “total victory” and planned to seek compensation.
Lively is well-known for works such as “Gossip Girl”, while Baldoni starred in “Virgin Jane” and directed “Five Feet Apart”. This case highlights the legal disputes in Hollywood over sexual harassment and creative control, and the subsequent developments remain closely watched.
Related Topic:
