Justin Baldoni's $400 Million Defamation Suit Against Blake Lively Dismissed

Actor Justin Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds was dismissed by a U.S. district court judge in New York on June 9. The $400-million suit was rejected after finding that Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment against Baldoni were legally protected and therefore immune from suit. Judge Lewis Liman also dismissed his $250 million 'libel' lawsuit against The New York Times, finding that the newspaper’s reporting on the claims was protected under “fair report” privilege. However, the ruling allows Baldoni to amend and refile some allegations regarding interference with contracts.

Case in detail

The film It Ends With Us is steeped in drama, not only in its script but also in the post-release controversies that have followed. From sketchy statements during promotions to legal battles, the film has been fraught with tension. In December 2024, actress Blake Lively accused her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, of sexual harassment. 

Blake Lively's lawsuit, filed at the California Civil Rights Department, accused Baldoni of creating a hostile and distressing work environment during the production of the film. She also alleged he launched a smear campaign against her during the film's promotions. Notably, the revelations come amidst longstanding rumours of discord between the two stars, which Lively’s legal action has now substantiated.

The lawsuit, as cited by TMZ, highlights a series of inappropriate behaviours allegedly exhibited by Baldoni on set. Lively claims that she endured severe distress due to the following incidents:

• Display of explicit videos and images in her presence.
• Conversations about Baldoni's alleged past pornography addiction.
• Discussions about sexual conquests and inappropriate remarks about the cast and crew's genitalia.
• Questions about Lively's weight and references to her late father.
• Efforts to include unsanctioned sexual scenes beyond the agreed-upon script.

The legal filing also reveals that a meeting, attended by Lively's husband Ryan Reynolds, was held to address these concerns. Sony, the film’s production company, reportedly agreed to her demands, but the actress alleges that Baldoni subsequently initiated a "social manipulation" campaign to tarnish her reputation. Lively's complaint identifies Baldoni's Wayfarer Studios and producer Jamey Heath, among others, as defendants. 

Justin Baldoni’s Response To Blake Lively's Suit

In response to Lively's claims, Justin Baldoni filed a defamation case against her and her husband. He also accused the New York Times of misrepresenting facts about the case in their article on December 21, titled 'We Can Bury Anyone': Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine. Baldoni, along with his publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, is accusing the NYT of libel and invasion of privacy, claiming that the article misrepresents facts and misleads readers with a 'cherry-picked' narrative.

Justin Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has straight-up denied the allegations, labelling them as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” Freedman claimed the lawsuit was a tactic to undo Lively’s recent negative public image, accusing her of being unprofessional on set. Allegations from Baldoni's camp suggest that Lively’s threats to abstain from filming and promoting the movie significantly impacted the project’s success.

The Troubled Journey of It Ends With Us

It Ends With Us has been the centre of controversy since its production began. Earlier reports accused Baldoni of exhibiting chauvinistic and borderline abusive behaviour, which allegedly created a challenging environment for the entire cast and crew. Despite the lawsuit’s claims, neither Baldoni nor Lively has made a direct public comment about the ongoing feud.

Author Colleen Hoover Responds

Author Colleen Hoover, whose book inspired the film It Ends With Us, broke her silence about actress Blake Lively suing co-star and director Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment. The popular American writer expressed support for Lively in an Instagram story, "You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met.  Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt." Hoover also shared an unseen photo of Blake and her hugging at a film screening.

Implications for Hollywood’s Workplace Culture

This high-profile lawsuit once again brings the spotlight to workplace dynamics in Hollywood. Allegations of harassment and inappropriate conduct on sets are not new, but cases like this highlight the need for stronger safeguards to ensure a respectful and professional environment for all artists.