Curtains Close on Baldoni's Lawsuit Against Lively and Reynolds, but New York Times Case Remains Unscathed
Justin Baldoni's legal action against Blake Lively has been thrown out by the court.
The intricate Hollywood saga between actor Justin Baldoni and co-stars Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds has taken another twist. A New York judge has dismissed Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against the dynamic duo, deeming his allegations unsubstantiated.
Baldoni, known for his role in "Just One More Time," sought a staggering $400 million in damages, claiming Lively defamed him when she publicly accused him of sexual harassment. However, during the ruling, Judge Lewis J. Liman declared that Lively's statements were protected by law, making them non-actionable. Besides dismissing the defamation lawsuit, Judge Liman also threw out the allegation of blackmail. The judge left only one minor point open, potentially allowing Baldoni to refile a revised lawsuit concerning "unjustified contractual interference."
Blake Lively's lawyers hailed this decision as a complete victory and a total vindication, adding that they will pursue legal fees and damages against Baldoni and the involved parties. The decision comes as a significant relief for Lively, who had initially filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation on the film's set. She alleged that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios retaliated against her after her complaint by launching a smear campaign.
The New York Times Escapes Unscathed
Baldoni's legal troubles didn't end with the Lively-Reynolds case. He also sued the New York Times for reporting on the ongoing legal battle. However, Judge Liman ruled that the newspaper's reporting was shielded by the "Fair Report Privilege," which safeguards media outlets from being held liable for potential damage to reputation due to their reporting on ongoing or pending legal proceedings.
The New York Times responded positively to the ruling, stating that they were grateful for the court's recognition of the lawsuit's baseless nature. Meanwhile, Baldoni has until June 23 to refile certain claims if he chooses to do so. In the meantime, Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios moves forward, with a trial scheduled for March 2026.
Hollywood Mudslinging: A Continuing Narrative
In this entangled tale of Hollywood power dynamics, it appears the chapters continue to unfold. As the dust settles on the dismissed lawsuit, the spotlight shifts to upcoming proceedings and the possibility of Baldoni re-entering the legal arena. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this captivating narrative.
Sources: ntv.de, lme/spot
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The Commission has also been involved in the preparation of the draft directive regarding the fair report privilege, stipulating media outlets' immunity from liability for their reports on ongoing legal proceedings. In light of Baldoni's lawsuit against the New York Times, the entertainment industry is closely following the development, particularly if it could potentially impact other publications reporting on crime-and- justice, general-news, or celebrity matters.
