The lengthy legal confrontation involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has concluded after Baldoni chose not to file an amended complaint. U.S. District Court Judge Lewis J. Liman formally dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and others, citing the lapse of the refiling deadline following the initial case dismissal in June.
The dismissal marks a critical development in the ongoing high-profile Blake Lively lawsuit dismissal, initially rooted in allegations connected to the production of It Ends With Us, where Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and a subsequent smear campaign. Judge Liman’s order ensures that Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios partners have no further claims active in this matter unless they pursue an appeal.
Details Behind the Court’s Decision to End the Case
Judge Liman had dismissed Baldoni’s defamation claims in June but permitted an opportunity to amend the lawsuit to include allegations of breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract against Lively. However, after a warning issued on October 17 regarding entering final judgment, only Lively responded to the judge’s communication, requesting a final judgment while maintaining her request for legal fees.
With Baldoni’s decision not to respond or file an amended version of the complaint, the lawsuit was terminated. While the door remains open for an appeal, the dismissal represents a significant defeat for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios legally and publicly. Requests for comment from representatives on both sides were not immediately fulfilled.
Background of the Lawsuit’s Origin and Claims
This legal battle began last December when Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department alleging sexual harassment by Baldoni during It Ends With Us filming. She accused him of orchestrating false narratives targeting her character, which escalated into a federal lawsuit filed by Lively against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios.
In retaliation, Baldoni launched his own multimillion-dollar lawsuit naming Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of defamation, civil extortion, breach of contract, and invasion of privacy. He additionally filed a $250 defamation suit against The New York Times, challenging their reporting that originally disclosed her allegations.
Judge’s Rationale for Previous Dismissals and Legal Protections
In ruling against Baldoni’s claims, Judge Liman found that Lively’s complaints and subsequent media coverage were protected by litigation privilege, thereby nullifying defamation allegations. The judge also cleared Reynolds, Sloane, and The New York Times, noting no evidence that these parties knowingly published false information or acted maliciously towards Baldoni.
Lively’s legal team hailed the June ruling as a “total victory” and a “complete vindication” of her accusations. Attorneys Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb asserted,
“As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it,”
and added,
“We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, [Wayfarer co-founder Steve] Sarowitz, [publicist Melissa] Nathan, and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.”
Blake Lively’s Public Reaction to Legal Outcome
Following the court’s confirmation of the lawsuit’s dismissal, Blake Lively shared her feelings publicly on Instagram Stories. She expressed the emotional toll caused by what she described as a “retaliatory lawsuit,” and affirmed her commitment to advocating for women’s rights and safety. She wrote,
“more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman’s right to have a voice in protecting themselves, including their safety, their integrity, their dignity and their story.”
Baldoni’s Legal Team Challenges Court’s Decision
In the face of the dismissal and Lively’s declarations, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman criticized her team’s response as premature and inaccurate. He claimed the lawsuit concerned false sexual harassment accusations and alleged retaliation, stating,
“This case is about false accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation and a nonexistent smear campaign, which Ms. Lively’s own team conveniently describes as ‘untraceable’ because they cannot prove what never happened.”
Ongoing Litigation and What to Expect Next
While Baldoni’s lawsuit has ended in this ruling, Blake Lively’s original lawsuit against him and Wayfarer Studios remains active and is scheduled for trial in March. The dismissal of Baldoni’s claims removes one layer of legal complexity but ensures that the core dispute alleging wrongdoing during the film’s production will be addressed in court. Legal experts anticipate this upcoming trial to be a pivotal moment in the bitter and emotionally charged conflict between the actors and their associated entities.
