Justin Baldoni’s $400M Countersuit Against Blake Lively Dismissed in Legal Battle
(Caption: Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively pictured together in December 2023.)

A judge has dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively, marking a major setback in their ongoing legal feud tied to the film It Ends With Us. The ruling, confirmed by DailyMail.com, comes months after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on set—a claim he denies. Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, had countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane for defamation, while separately filing a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times over its coverage of the scandal.

Judge Rules Statements Were Privileged
Judge Lewis J. Limon dismissed Baldoni’s defamation and extortion claims, stating Lively’s allegations fell under legal privilege as part of court filings. The judge noted that Reynolds, Sloane, and The New York Times had no clear motive to doubt Lively’s claims, undermining Baldoni’s argument. “The Times reported what it believed to have happened, perhaps dramatized, but without malice,” the ruling stated.

(Caption: Courtroom gavel and documents symbolizing the legal battle.)

Lively’s legal team hailed the decision as a “total victory,” vowing to pursue attorneys’ fees and punitive damages against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios. Baldoni’s representatives have not yet commented.

Background of the Feud
The conflict began in December 2024 when Lively filed an 80-page civil rights complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, including body-shaming and orchestrating a smear campaign. Baldoni denied the allegations, claiming Lively and Reynolds conspired to undermine his role as director of It Ends With Us. He launched a website, thelawsuitinfo.com, sharing private texts and emails to counter her claims.

(Caption: Blake Lively in a scene from It Ends With Us.)

Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit alleged Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane fabricated harassment claims to damage his reputation. Meanwhile, his lawsuit against The New York Times accused the outlet of defamation for its article detailing Lively’s allegations. Both the Times and Lively’s camp have denied wrongdoing.

Fallout for Baldoni
The scandal has impacted Baldoni’s career. He was dropped by talent agency WME, which also represents Lively and Reynolds, though WME denies external pressure influenced their decision. A former publicist also sued Baldoni, further complicating his legal battles.

(Caption: Justin Baldoni on the set of It Ends With Us.)

What’s Next?
With Baldoni’s lawsuits dismissed, focus shifts to Lively’s pending claims and her pursuit of damages. The case highlights Hollywood’s fraught dynamics, where personal and professional conflicts often collide in court. As both sides prepare for the next phase, the public awaits further twists in this high-stakes drama.

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