Justin Baldoni has failed to meet the deadline to appeal the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times. This development effectively closes Baldoni’s attempt to continue the case, as confirmed in court filings obtained by TheWrap.
Final Judgment Requested by Lively, Reynolds, and The New York Times
Following Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios’ inability to explain why the lawsuit should proceed by the court’s October 17 deadline, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times filed motions seeking final judgment. Court documents reveal that Lively was the only respondent to comply, submitting a letter urging the judge to finalize the case and keep her pending requests for legal fees active. The presiding judge, Lewis J. Liman, accepted Lively’s request, advancing the case’s closure.
Background of the Dismissal: Judge’s Ruling on Legal Protections
The judge originally dismissed Baldoni’s defamation suit in June, citing California laws that shield Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment from being classified as defamatory. Judge Liman further ruled that Baldoni and his legal team failed to prove that The New York Times acted with knowledge or reckless disregard regarding the truthfulness of Lively’s claims, eliminating grounds for the defamation claim against the outlet.
Counterclaims and Ongoing Litigation
Baldoni’s countersuit, valued at $400 million, accused Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist of extortion and defamation, following a December 2024 lawsuit filed by Lively. In her suit, she accused Baldoni of misconduct on the set of It Ends With Us and orchestrating a retaliatory campaign to damage her reputation. Baldoni has denied all allegations. Despite the dismissal of his defamation suit, Lively’s lawsuit continues with trial preparations underway for March 2026.
Additional Legal Disputes Connected to the Conflict
The legal tensions extend beyond the defamation case. In October, The New York Times initiated a lawsuit against Wayfarer Studios to recover fees related to the dismissed defamation case. Shortly thereafter, Wayfarer and Baldoni sought to dismiss or pause a July lawsuit from Harco National Insurance Company, which contends it should not be liable for covering legal costs stemming from It Ends With Us.
Implications and Next Steps in the Ongoing Legal Battles
Justin Baldoni’s missed deadline marks a significant setback for his efforts to challenge Blake Lively and The New York Times legally. While this particular defamation lawsuit has concluded, the controversy continues through other legal avenues, with a trial set to commence in early 2026 and additional disputes involving Wayfarer Studios still unresolved. The outcomes of these ongoing proceedings will shape the future of both parties amid this high-profile conflict.
“The judge agreed to Lively’s request.” ?TheWrap, Co.
