Judge dismisses Justin Baldoni's $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively
A US judge dismissed Justin Baldoni's $650 million lawsuits against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and others, ruling insufficient evidence of defamation. A separate trial between Baldoni and Lively begins in 2026.
In Short
- Justin Baldoni's lawsuits against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane and NY Times dismissed by US judge
- Suits sought $400m and $250m over extortion, defamation and reputational damage claims
- Judge found insufficient proof of 'actual malice' in defamation allegations
In a significant legal setback, actor and director Justin Baldoni’s high-profile lawsuits against actress Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times have been dismissed by a US judge. The lawsuits, which sought $400 million and $250 million respectively, centered on claims of extortion, defamation, and reputational damage.
As reported by Reuters, on June 9, Judge Lewis J. Liman granted motions to dismiss the complaints filed by Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios. In the ruling, the judge stated that Baldoni’s team had not adequately proven the defendants acted with "actual malice" or had reason to doubt the truth of their statements — a key requirement in defamation claims.
Judge Liman explained that although Lively's remarks were made in a formal complaint and therefore legally privileged, the other claims against Reynolds, Sloane, and The New York Times were not adequately founded in law.
Nevertheless, Baldoni’s legal team has been given until June 23 to amend and resubmit certain claims involving contract interference and violation of the implied covenant of good faith.
According to People, the court case stems from Lively's 2024 complaint of sexual harassment against Baldoni during filming for It Ends With Us, allegations he has denied.
Following Lively’s complaint, Baldoni filed a defamation counterclaim, alleging that she misrepresented the facts and ruined his career.
While this ruling dismisses Baldoni’s claims, the broader legal battle continues. A trial involving Lively and Baldoni is scheduled for March 2026, where both parties are expected to testify.
"It Ends With Us" garnered mixed reviews, but grossed more than $351 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.