In a pivotal development regarding the film “It Ends With Us,” U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman has dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against co-star Blake Lively. Filed in January 2025, the lawsuit accused Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of orchestrating a smear campaign against Baldoni following her allegations of sexual harassment during production. Baldoni contended that Lively’s claims were false and aimed at damaging his reputation.
Judge Liman ruled that Lively’s statements in her legal complaint were protected by litigation privilege, thus dismissing the defamation claims. Additionally, he rejected Baldoni’s related $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for reporting on Lively’s allegations but allowed him to amend his complaint concerning potential contractual issues.
Lively’s legal team hailed the ruling as a complete vindication and insisted that the dismissed lawsuits were an attempt to silence her. They expressed confidence in the upcoming trial set for March 2026, where Lively will present her original allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios.
The controversy has garnered significant media attention, with both parties accusing one another of misconduct during filming. Baldoni has denied Lively’s accusations and has pursued lawsuits against both her and The New York Times. This ongoing legal battle casts a shadow over the film, which has grossed over $351 million globally, highlighting workplace misconduct complexities in the entertainment industry. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case could set important precedents for similar allegations in the future.
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