In December 2024, Blake Lively, who played Lily Bloom in the It Ends With Us movie, filed a complaint against her co-star Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment on the sets. However, this case has extended for a longer period than it was supposed to. As Blake Lively publicly claimed that he had sexually harassed her, Justin sued Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and the New York Times for defamation. In addition, he ran several defamation campaigns against Blake Lively and her husband. Moreover, Justin’s $400 Million Countersuit against the famous actress Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds was dismissed by the Judge.
Dismissal of the Complaint without Prejudice
Judge Lewis Liman, who is seeing this case, has dismissed Justin Baldoni’s claims on Blake Lively on 9 June 2025 as they didn’t proved to be true. Baldoni made several allegations on Blake Lively after she filed a case against him for sexual haressment including- defamation, civil extortion, and false light. However, Justin and his lawyers are permitted to file another case with possible amendment in the claims as the contract was breached. The deadline for the same is 23 June 2025.
Also, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Leslie Sloane requested for Baldoni to cover their attorney’s fees which has been dismissed without prejudice by the court.
Lively’s lawyer’s comments on 9 June to USA Today
USA Today reached out to Lively’s Lawyers to get the latest updates about the case and its position in the court. According to them, the court’s decision has proven to be a positive response for Blake Lively and all the others who are supporting her, including her husband, Leslie Sloane, and the New York Times. They also added that the $400 million lawsuit raised by Justin was bound to be false from the very beginning. The dismissal from the court proved it right. They are now seeking the next round of the court procedure.
Claims made by Justin Baldoni, according to the Judge.
According to USA Today, the Judge revealed that Justin’s allegation included two main claims against Blake Lively. The first was that Lively was threatening him to give her control of the movie, and refused the promotion of the movie if the conditions were not met. Thus, he filed the complaint on this claim, referring to it as civil extortion. On this complaint, the Judge reacted, saying that even if the statement is true, Lively’s action doesn’t count as any wrong extortion measures and is called a renegotiation of working terms. In addition, no valid proof was provided against any damage done to Justin through her statement.
The second was that Lively, along with Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times have together conspired against him for the statement of sexual harrassment on the actress. In addition, he alleged Lively to have started some defamation campaigns against him. However, the court couldn’t find any other statements other than the ones she made in California Civil Rights Department which made his statement invalid.
Conclusion
Thus, the first round has dismissed the statements made by Justin Baldoni against Lively who has alleged him on sexual harassment on the sets. Moreover, this victory is celebrated by Lively’s lawyers as they have a vindication on Blake Lively after 9 June’s opinion in the court.
