Judge Dismisses Justin Baldoni’s $400M Countersuit Against Blake Lively

A federal judge in New York has dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million counterclaim against Blake Lively related to their film “It Ends With Us.” The dismissal came after Baldoni failed to meet a court-imposed deadline to file an amended complaint. The legal trouble began in December 2024, when Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment while they were filming, prompting her to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. In retaliation, Baldoni accused Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane of defamation and extortion, filing a hefty countersuit.

In June 2025, Judge Lewis Liman dismissed Baldoni’s defamation claims against Lively, asserting that her statements to the California agency were protected by law. The connected lawsuit against The New York Times was also dismissed, as the court found Baldoni did not adequately demonstrate defamation or a conspiracy. Lively’s legal team celebrated the ruling, labeling Baldoni’s lawsuits as frivolous and expressing intentions to seek legal fees and punitive damages.

Despite the controversies, “It Ends With Us” has seen commercial success, grossing over $351 million globally. Baldoni’s team has indicated plans to explore other legal avenues while maintaining their defense against Lively’s allegations. A trial concerning Lively’s initial allegations is still set to commence in March 2026. This ongoing legal conflict has overshadowed the film’s success, impacting the public narrative surrounding both actors involved.