Lawyer for Blake Lively successfully defends against Justin Baldoni's multimillion-dollar lawsuit, court dismisses case.
** lights, camera, drama! **
Hey there, folks! Guess who just struck out some serious legal action in Tinseltown? None other than Justin Baldoni, who found himself in a heated tussle with his "It Ends With Us" costar, Blake Lively.
Judge Lewis Liman dropped the lawsuit filed by Baldoni against Lively this past Monday, following Lively's initial sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against him. This is the latest turn in the bitter legal battle surrounding the dark romantic drama that has been causing quite a stir.
In a bit of convoluted Legalese, Liman ruled that Baldoni can't sue Lively for defamation over claims made in her lawsuit - y'know, because allegations made in a lawsuit are immune to libel claims. Furthermore, Baldoni's claims that Lively stole creative control of the film didn't count as extortion under California law.
However, the legal eagles on Baldoni’s team aren't down for the count just yet. If they choose to, they can revise the lawsuit and pursue other claims related to whether Lively breached a contract.
This bombshell comes after Lively sued Baldoni in late December, accusations that then prompted Baldoni and production company Wayfarer Studios to countersuit in January, seeking a staggering $400 million. They accused Lively and her hubby, Ryan Reynolds (aka Deadpool himself), of defamation and extortion.
The movie "It Ends With Us," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's 2016 novel, was released in August, raking in a cool $50 million debut at the box office. But its release was shadowed by speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni.
Judge Liman also gave the ax to Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, which had reported on Lively's sexual harassment allegations. Baldoni's team wasn't too keen on this ruling, and they've made it clear they have no intention of backing down anytime soon.
Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, Lively's attorneys, saw this decision as a "total victory and complete vindication" for their client, hinting that they'll be back for more - attorneys' fees, treble damages, and punitive damages - in the near future.
On the flip side, The New York Times is just as proud, issuing a statement that they were "grateful to the court for seeing the lawsuit for what it was: a meritless attempt to stifle honest reporting."
As the dust settles on this round of legal limelight, both Baldoni and Lively are pushing forward with their respective careers. Lively, a former Gossip Girl and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants star, has taken on roles in films like The Town and The Shallows, while Baldoni has carved a niche for himself as an actor, director, and author, challenging traditional notions of masculinity with his work. Stay tuned for more twists and turns in this Hollywood drama!
P.S.: In case you're curious, the judge's decision doesn't signify a clean sweep for Lively. Baldoni has been given until June 23 to either refile or amend certain claims, such as the breach of the implied covenant and tortious interference with contract.
Sources:
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/justin-baldoni-blake-livelys-it-ends-with-us-lawsuit-request-attorneys-fees-punitive-damages-1235186286/
- https://www.thedailybeast.com/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-lawsuit-deemed-winnable-by-judge
- https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/judge-dismisses-justin-baldonis-400m-lawsuit-against-blake-lively-and-ryan-053820826.html
- Seattle's entertainment scene is abuzz with the latest opinion on the ongoing legal drama between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, with many expressing their views on the dismissal of Baldoni's lawsuit.
- Celebrities like Blake Lively, who starred in Seattle-based productions like "It Ends With Us", have been under the microscope in the city's entertainment circles, with the recent legal developments adding another layer of intrigue to their careers.
