Lawsuit Initiated by Justin Baldoni Against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Justin Baldoni, actor and director, has filed a $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and others, alleging civil extortion and defamation related to sexual harassment accusations Lively made against him. Baldoni claimed that Lively’s lawsuit and the New York Times article publicizing her allegations were part of a retaliatory scheme to harm his reputation, seize creative control of their film "It Ends With Us," and exclude him from publicity efforts. He also sued The New York Times for defamation, claiming the paper's reporting was false and damaging.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Thursday. According to Baldoni, the conflict between him and Lively stems from creative differences, but Lively's legal team and publicists have interpreted Baldoni's lawsuit as an abusive attempt at retaliation. Lively's team has posited that Baldoni's lawsuit is an example of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim Offender).
In December, Lively filed her own complaint with the California Civil rights Department, alleging that Baldoni sexually harassed her on-set and behind the scenes. Baldoni has since denied all allegations of harassment and wrongdoing. He argued that Lively's accusations and the press coverage constituted an attack on his character and career. His lawsuit included claims of libel, false light, invasion of privacy, promissory fraud, and breach of implied contract. Baldoni sought $400 million from Lively and $250 million from The New York Times.
However, on June 10, 2025, a federal judge dismissed Baldoni’s entire lawsuit, ruling that his claims failed to meet legal standards. The judge found that the Times responsibly reported on the sexual harassment complaint after reviewing available evidence, and there was no basis for Baldoni's extortion or defamation claims against Lively and Reynolds. The decision was described by Lively's attorneys as a complete vindication, and the judge denied for now requests for attorneys' fees and sanctions from Lively’s side.
The lawsuit between Baldoni, Lively, and other figures involved with the production of 'It Ends With Us' continues to escalate. Lively's team alleges that Baldoni's actions are retaliation against sexual harassment allegations made by Lively. Lively also demanded that scenes be rewritten, and allegedly created her own cut of the film. Blake Lively requested that Justin Baldoni be excluded from all promotional materials or events.
This ongoing dispute is the latest chapter in the production of 'It Ends With Us', a film based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover. The film, which also stars Austin North and Fiona Gubelmann, is set to be released later this year. As the legal battle between Baldoni, Lively, and others continues, fans and industry professionals alike eagerly await developments in this high-profile case.
- The ongoing dispute between Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and other figures involved in the production of 'It Ends With Us' has stirred discussions in the realm of civil rights, as Lively's allegations of sexual harassment have been met with Baldoni's denials and a subsequent lawsuit.
- In the intricate tapestry of pop-culture, the high-profile lawsuit involving celebrities Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, centered on 'It Ends With Us', has captured the attention of entertainment enthusiasts worldwide, shedding light on power dynamics and the impact of such controversies on the entertainment industry.
