On Monday, a judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by actor and director Justin Baldoni against his “It Ends With Us” co-star Blake Lively, after she sued him the previous year, citing claims of sexual harassment and retaliation. The decision by U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman marks a new chapter in the contentious legal dispute that has surrounded the dark romantic film.
In response to Lively’s allegations, Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, filed a countersuit in January seeking $400 million. They accused Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” star Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion. However, Judge Liman ruled that Baldoni could not sue Lively for defamation based on her previous claims in her legal filing, as statements made in lawsuits are protected from libel charges. The judge also concluded that Baldoni’s assertion that Lively usurped creative control of the film could not legally be construed as extortion under California law.
Nonetheless, the judge allowed Baldoni the opportunity to revise his lawsuit should he wish to address other issues, such as possible contract breaches or interferences by Lively. Baldoni’s legal team has indicated plans to explore these options. Bryan Freedman, one of Baldoni’s attorneys, criticized Lively’s assertion of legal victory, calling it incorrect and emphasizing that Lively’s claims of harassment and a smear campaign remain unfounded.
“It Ends With Us,” adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel, features a narrative that starts as a romance and evolves into a theme of domestic violence. The film, released in August, exceeded initial box office projections with a $50 million debut, yet its launch was overshadowed by rumors of a rift between Lively and Baldoni.
In a related decision, the judge also dismissed Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, which had covered Lively’s sexual harassment allegations. In a public statement, Lively’s lawyers, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, hailed the ruling as a victory and expressed intentions to pursue further legal remedies, including attorneys’ fees and damages.
A representative for The New York Times expressed gratitude to the court for recognizing the lawsuit as an unfounded effort to censor truthful reporting. Charlie Stadtlander, in an emailed statement, emphasized the importance of protecting journalism that addresses matters of public interest.
Blake Lively, known for her roles in films like “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and the TV series “Gossip Girl,” continues her established career in Hollywood. Meanwhile, Justin Baldoni, notable for his work in “Jane the Virgin” and as director of the film “Five Feet Apart,” also authored “Man Enough,” a book challenging traditional gender norms.