Justin Baldoni Seeks Dismissal of Blake Lively’s Lawsuit

Justin Baldoni has requested a federal court in New York to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Blake Lively, which accuses him of sexual harassment and conducting a smear campaign linked to their film, It Ends With Us. This legal action follows a series of disputes that have captured attention in Hollywood.

In a court filing submitted on Thursday, Baldoni’s legal team argued that he had addressed Lively’s concerns regarding “awkward comments” made on set shortly after she raised them. They stated that Baldoni had a right to engage a crisis management firm to defend his reputation in light of Lively’s public criticisms. According to Baldoni’s lawyers, “This is a dispute about Hollywood reputations, not genuine legal wrongs.” They further claimed that no reasonable juror could determine that the comments in question amounted to sexual harassment.

The dispute first gained public attention in December 2023 when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. The lawsuit alleges that Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, executed a “carefully crafted, coordinated, and resourced retaliatory scheme” aimed at silencing her and others regarding the toxic environment on set. Lively is seeking unspecified damages for alleged harassment, invasion of privacy, and violations of both federal and state civil rights laws.

Legal Proceedings and Public Reactions

As the legal battle unfolded, it drew significant media interest and even involved Lively’s friend, singer Taylor Swift, whom Baldoni sought to question under oath. US District Judge Lewis Liman expressed frustration over the escalating tensions in the case, warning all parties in August to refrain from “intemperate language and personal attacks.” Since then, the rhetoric has reportedly calmed.

Despite mixed reviews, It Ends With Us has been a commercial success, grossing over $351 million worldwide according to Box Office Mojo. The film, which Baldoni directed, features both actors in lead roles.

In June 2024, Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, concluding that he failed to demonstrate that she made any defamatory statements outside her initial complaint, which is protected by legal privilege. He also dismissed claims that Lively, allegedly with assistance from her husband, Ryan Reynolds, extorted Baldoni by demanding more creative control in exchange for promoting the film. Baldoni decided not to pursue a refiled version of this lawsuit in October.

The upcoming trial is scheduled for March 2026, and both parties continue to prepare for what promises to be a high-profile courtroom battle. Lively’s legal representatives have not yet responded to requests for further comments on the matter.