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

A federal judge dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation and civil extortion lawsuit against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and others, marking a significant legal victory for Lively amid their ongoing dispute related to the film It Ends With Us. The ruling found Baldoni’s claims legally insufficient but allowed him until June 23 to amend certain claims, including breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract. Baldoni’s separate $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times, which first reported Lively’s sexual harassment accusations against him, was also dismissed. Following the ruling, Lively publicly expressed relief and renewed commitment to advocating for women’s rights, highlighting the challenges many face without resources to fight retaliatory lawsuits. Lively’s legal team described the dismissal as a total vindication and indicated they plan to seek attorneys’ fees and punitive damages. The broader legal battle between Baldoni and Lively is scheduled to continue, with Lively’s original complaint against Baldoni set for trial in 2026.