Judge Dismisses Justin Baldoni's $400 Million Lawsuit Against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

In a significant legal ruling, a judge has dismissed Justin Baldoni's $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and The New York Times. This decision marks a notable setback for Baldoni, who is both the director and star of "It Ends With Us."

On June 9, Judge Lewis J. Liman granted motions to dismiss Baldoni's claims of extortion and defamation against Lively and Reynolds, as well as a separate $250 million defamation lawsuit against the Times. The court found insufficient grounds for the allegations made by Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties.

While the judge dismissed the lawsuits, he indicated that Baldoni's legal team could amend their claims regarding breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract, with a deadline set for June 23. "The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than those in her CRD complaint, which are privileged," Judge Liman stated in his opinion.

He further elaborated that Baldoni's team failed to demonstrate that Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, or The Times had any reason to doubt the truth of their statements, which is a necessary condition for defamation claims under the law. "Accordingly, the Amended Complaint must be dismissed in its entirety," the judge concluded.

Attorneys representing Lively expressed satisfaction with the ruling, calling it a "total victory" for their client and others involved. They characterized Baldoni's lawsuit as a "sham" and noted their intention to pursue attorneys’ fees and damages from the Wayfarer Parties for what they described as abusive litigation.

Sloane's attorney also commented on the ruling, asserting that Sloane had been wrongfully implicated in the lawsuit and that the court's decision vindicated her actions. "Justice has been served," the statement read.

A spokesperson for The Times echoed this sentiment, emphasizing gratitude for the court's recognition of the lawsuit as meritless. They reaffirmed their commitment to fair journalism and indicated readiness to defend against any future attacks on their reporting.

The Times has consistently supported its coverage of Lively's allegations against Baldoni, which include claims of sexual harassment and retaliation—allegations Baldoni denies. Lively recently dropped two claims related to emotional distress in what her legal team described as a routine procedural move aimed at streamlining their case.

In March, Baldoni's attorney criticized Lively's motion to dismiss their countersuit, labeling it an abuse of the legal system. He argued that laws should not be manipulated by those in privileged positions to serve personal agendas.

The trial involving Lively and Baldoni is currently scheduled for March 2026, where both parties are expected to testify.