Justin Baldoni could be forced to pay a massive sum to Blake Lively after his $400 million lawsuit was officially dismissed.

The bombshell legal battle between the It Ends With Us co-stars began earlier this year after Baldoni filed a lawsuit accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and the New York Times of conspiring to ruin his career.

The Jane the Virgin star alleged that the couple manipulated their way into creative control of the 2024 film before launching a “duplicitous attempt to destroy” him through a scathing article in the Times.

The 41-year-old director also claimed he was the victim of extortion and defamation, and his media company, Wayfarer Studios, joined him in the legal onslaught. But the court wasn’t buying it.

Justin Baldoni has been accused of sexual harassment. Credit: Cindy Ord / Getty

Case dismissed

Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled back in June that the 41-year-old's arguments lacked merit.

When the actor missed the October 17 appeal deadline, the judge issued a final order on Halloween, closing the door on both the $400M claim and Baldoni’s separate $250M defamation suit against the New York Times.

Lively's Lawsuit Against Her Co-star

Baldoni's countersuit came a month after the 38-year-old Gossip Girl star filed a suit against Wayfarer Studios, alleging she was sexually harassed on the set of the film based on Colleen Hoover's popular book.

Lively’s lawyers, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, described Baldoni's case as a "sham" and "retaliatory," after it was dismissed in June, adding: “The Court saw right through it," cited by Deadline.

"We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni, Sarowitz, Nathan, and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation," they also said.

The actress' team is demanding millions to cover her legal costs, and more. In September, they filed a motion claiming Baldoni should be held liable for emotional, psychological, and economic harm.

To support her case, Lively is invoking California’s AB 933 law - the Protecting Survivors from Weaponized Defamation Lawsuits Act, passed in 2023 - which shields harassment victims who speak out from retaliatory lawsuits.

Her legal motion noted the law ensures people can tell their stories to courts, the press, and the public “without fear of being sued for doing so," Variety reported.

A spokesperson for Lively added: “Sadly, Ms Lively is not alone in facing a retaliatory defamation suit after speaking out about harassment at work… those who weaponize the legal system to silence them will be held accountable, not just for attorneys’ fees, but for treble damages and punitive damages as well.”

Blake Lively has sued Justin Baldoni. Credit: James Devaney / Getty

Baldoni’s side hits back

While Judge Liman has not yet ruled whether the law applies in this case, Baldoni’s lawyers have fiercely denied the harassment claims and insist AB 933 doesn’t apply.

In a filing, they accused Lively of fabricating or exaggerating her allegations to save face and regain control of the film: “Lively fabricated her allegations of sexual harassment, either wholesale or by exaggerating benign (and not harassing) interactions in a concerted, malicious effort to seize control of the Film and later to restore her reputation after a well-publicized series of marketing missteps that sullied her reputation."

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni on the set of It Ends With Us. Credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin / Getty

Even though Baldoni’s lawsuits have collapsed, the courtroom fight isn’t over. Lively’s own lawsuit is still moving forward and is scheduled for trial in March 2026.

And in a twist, the New York Times is now suing Baldoni for damages related to the legal fees it racked up defending his countersuit, E! News reported.

Featured image credit: Phillip Faraone / Getty Images

The behind-the-scenes drama surrounding It Ends With Us has escalated once again, with actor-director Justin Baldoni filing a $400 million lawsuit against co-star Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane, and Sloane’s PR firm, Vision PR.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday (January 16), in the Southern District of New York, alleges efforts to wrest control of the highly anticipated movie.

Baldoni - along with producer Jamey Heath and publicists Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan - accuses the defendants of civil extortion, defamation, false light invasion of privacy, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and interference with contractual and economic relationships, PEOPLE reports.

Baldoni’s Attorney Speaks Out

Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, issued a blistering statement, accusing Lively and her team of deliberate deception.

"This lawsuit is a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her team’s duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni, his team, and their respective companies by disseminating grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new, and doctored information to the media," Freedman said.

The attorney continued: "It is clear based on our own all-out willingness to provide all complete text messages, emails, video footage, and other documentary evidence that was shared between the parties in real time, that this is a battle she will not win and will certainly regret.

"Blake Lively was either severely misled by her team or intentionally and knowingly misrepresented the truth."

Freedman also accused Lively and her associates of damaging reputations for "heinously selfish reasons" and manipulating the media before pursuing legal action.

"We know the truth, and now the public does too," he added. "Justin and his team have nothing to hide, documents do not lie."

Counterclaims and Previous Allegations

The lawsuit follows Lively’s initial December 20 legal complaint, in which she alleged Baldoni’s behavior during the production and promotion of It Ends With Us caused her "grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety."

Her claims included accusations of sexual harassment on the set of the movie, as well as a retaliatory smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni. Accusations included making repeated comments about her post-baby body and Baldoni asking about her sex life with husband Ryan Reynolds.

Her lawsuit claimed there was a meeting attended by individuals including Lively, Baldoni her husband Ryan Reynolds, and other key figures on the movie to discuss the claims and address issues before filming could resume.

On January 2, Freedman hinted at the pending lawsuit in an interview with NBC News, stating: "We want the truth to be out there. We want the documents to be out there. We want people to make their determination based on receipts."

This latest lawsuit also comes on the heels of Baldoni’s libel suit against The New York Times filed on December 31.

Baldoni accused the paper of using “cherry-picked” and altered communications in its article titled "‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine", which delved into Lively’s allegations.

In response to the article, The New York Times defended its reporting as "meticulously and responsibly reported."

Lively, quoted in the piece, said: "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted."

As of this writing, reps for Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane have not yet commented on the countersuit.

Featured image credit: John Nacion/Variety/Getty

Justin Baldoni has launched a $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and here is everything he has accused them of.

As you've probably seen, Baldoni has filed the lawsuit against co-star Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and Sloane’s PR firm, Vision PR.

The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, January 16, in the Southern District of New York, alleges that the defendants attempted to seize control of the production of It Ends With Us and engaged in actions that Baldoni claims harmed his career and reputation.

The lawsuit follows Lively’s December 20 legal complaint, which accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliatory behavior, and creating a hostile environment during the production of It Ends With Us.

Her claims included accusations of Baldoni making inappropriate comments about her post-baby body and questioning her sex life with her husband, Ryan Reynolds.

According to Lively’s lawsuit, the allegations were addressed in a meeting attended by Lively, Baldoni, Reynolds, and other key figures involved in the film.

Baldoni’s lawsuit arrives after his earlier libel suit against The New York Times, filed on December 31, which alleged that the publication used “cherry-picked” and altered communications in its coverage of Lively’s allegations.

But what exactly has Baldoni alleged against the Hollywood couple and their PR team?

Accusations of Control and Extortion

In the 179-page complaint, Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, allege that Lively and Reynolds hijacked the production and promotional efforts of the film, per the Daily Mail.

According to the lawsuit, the couple took over creative aspects without authorization.

The plaintiffs describe their actions as a deliberate power grab.

"This is a case about two of the most powerful stars in the world deploying their enormous power to steal an entire film right out of the hands of its director and production studio," the lawsuit states.

"Then, when Lively and Reynolds’ efforts failed to win them the acclaim they believed they so richly deserved, they turned their fury on their chosen scapegoat."

Claims of Defamation and False Allegations

The lawsuit accuses Lively of launching a smear campaign against Baldoni by making false claims of sexual harassment and social manipulation.

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has called the allegations baseless, stating:

"This lawsuit is a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her team's duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni, his team and their respective companies by disseminating grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media."

Freedman added that Baldoni and his team have provided unedited documentation to counter the claims.

Marketing Conflicts

The lawsuit also criticizes Lively for failing to address the film’s sensitive subject matter - domestic violence - during the promotional campaign.

"Heartbreakingly, a film that Baldoni envisioned years ago would honor the survivors of domestic violence by telling their story, with the lofty goal of making a positive impact in the world, has now been overshadowed beyond recognition solely as a result of Lively’s actions and cruelty," the complaint says.

Professional and Personal Damages

Baldoni’s exclusion from the film’s promotional activities is cited as a significant blow to his career and reputation. The lawsuit also details alleged personal humiliation, describing how Baldoni had to watch the premiere in a separate theater with family and friends.

"Surrounded by close friends, family, soda bottles, and a lot of love, the irony of being held in a basement on what was arguably one of the most important nights of Baldoni's career thus far, was not lost on anyone," the lawsuit claims.

Additionally, the suit alleges that Lively suggested Baldoni undergo cosmetic surgery, a comment he "brushed off and moved on with the scene."

Breakdown of Collaboration

The lawsuit further alleges that Lively demanded increased control over script edits and wardrobe decisions, with Reynolds and his team reportedly taking over creative aspects of the film.

The complaint claims that these actions were part of a broader effort to sideline Baldoni.

"Lively knew full well that making those allegations would be a career death sentence for Plaintiffs, especially given that Baldoni has lived his private and public life as an impassioned advocate for gender equality and healthy masculinity," the lawsuit states.

In response, Lively’s lawyers issued a strong rebuttal, dismissing Baldoni’s claims as part of an abuser’s strategy.

"This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim," they said in a statement.

"This is what experts call DARVO. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender."

Featured image credit: John Nacion/Getty

Blake Lively has been hit with a new $7 million lawsuit as her current legal proceedings with Justin Baldoni rumble on.

Lively and Baldoni have been embroiled in legal disputes since December 2024, just months after the release of It Ends With Us.

Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, accusing him of sexual harassment and intimidation.

In response, Baldoni denied the allegations and later sued The New York Times for libel, claiming the publication had unfairly sided with Lively’s account.

He then launched a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleging civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy.

Lively has claimed that Baldoni and his production company engaged in a deliberate effort to tarnish her reputation. Baldoni's team, however, denies these claims and insists that the actress and her husband were instead working to discredit him.

In a new twist, Jed Wallace, a crisis publicist and the owner of PR firm Street Relations, has sued Lively for $7 million in damages.

Wallace's lawsuit follows Lively’s previous allegations that his firm "weaponized a digital army" as part of an orchestrated smear campaign against her.

Baldoni’s legal team recently published a 168-page document outlining the timeline of events surrounding the controversy.

Wallace, who was named in Lively’s initial lawsuit, was accused of mobilizing a network across major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, to create and distribute misleading content on social media and online forums.

As part of his lawsuit, Wallace's legal team stated: "(Lively's legal team) conceded that Lively has no facts supporting the allegations she made against Wallace and Street in the Precursor which 'made headlines around the world' as she now, apparently under the threat of sanctions from one of Plaintiffs' attorneys, sought to 'investigate the scope of Mr. Wallace’s conduct.'”

Lively had previously requested a deposition from Wallace, but this request was rescinded on Tuesday (February 4).

In a statement to The Independent regarding the defamation lawsuit, Lively’s team dismissed it as another attempt to silence her.

“Another day, another state, another nine-figure lawsuit seeking to sue Ms. Lively ‘into oblivion’ for speaking out against sexual harassment and retaliation,” the statement read.

Describing the lawsuit as a "publicity stunt," they added: “It is transparent retaliation in response to allegations contained within a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint that Ms. Lively filed with the California Civil Rights Department.

"While this lawsuit will be dismissed, we are pleased that Mr. Wallace has finally emerged from the shadows, and that he too will be held accountable in federal court.”

Featured image credit: XNY/Star Max/GC Images/Getty

Blake Lively has issued a response after Justin Baldoni sued her and her husband Ryan Reynolds for $400 million.

Baldoni, along with his publicists, alleges that Lively fabricated sexual harassment claims to damage his career and seize control of the movie It Ends With Us.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday, accuses Lively and Reynolds of leveraging their combined star power to discredit Baldoni, who co-starred in and directed the film, per the Daily Mail.

This latest legal filing is part of a growing dispute that began in December when Lively sued Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and fostering a toxic work environment on set - allegations he has adamantly denied.

Responding to the lawsuit, Lively's attorneys issued a scathing statement, calling it "another chapter in the abuser playbook."

"This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation, and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim. This is what experts call DARVO: Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim and Offender," the statement said.

The attorneys accused Baldoni's production company, Wayfarer Studios, of using its resources to retaliate through "meritless lawsuits" and media manipulation.

They further alleged that Sony had specifically asked Lively to oversee the film’s final cut, which later achieved commercial success.

"Their response to sexual harassment allegations: she wanted it, it’s her fault," the statement continued. "The strategy of attacking the woman is desperate, it does not refute the evidence in Ms. Lively’s complaint, and it will fail."

In Baldoni’s lawsuit, he alleges that Lively disrupted production and alienated him from the cast. According to the filing, Baldoni and his family were relegated to a makeshift basement holding area during the film’s premiere at Lively's request.

Security reportedly confined the group to a room stocked with concession stand supplies, with only foldout tables and chairs for seating.

Baldoni also claims Lively initially resisted reading the book the film is based on and acted insensitively during the promotional campaign, even naming a cocktail after the abusive male lead.

The suit alleges that Lively refused to meet with a domestic violence charity Baldoni had partnered with and mishandled the film's serious themes in favor of promoting her own brand.

The lawsuit also highlights contentious moments on set, including an incident where Lively allegedly referred to her Hollywood connections as "my dragons" during a dispute over script changes. Baldoni claims he felt threatened and pressured to comply with her demands.

The tension reportedly extended to disagreements about the film’s tone, with Lively favoring a more upbeat portrayal while Baldoni sought to focus on the story's darker themes of domestic abuse.

Despite the public feud and mixed critical reviews, It Ends With Us became a box-office success. However, the ongoing legal battles have overshadowed the film’s release, with both sides doubling down on their narratives.

Featured image credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty