Actor Justin Baldoni’s $US400 million defamation lawsuit against his former co-star Blake Lively has been ended by a federal judge in New York.
Judge Lewis Liman said Baldoni missed a court deadline to file an amended complaint after his case was dismissed in June.
Baldoni first brought the lawsuit in response to Lively’s ongoing sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni, which began in December 2024.
Baldoni and Lively both starred in the 2024 film It Ends With Us and have been absorbed in a legal battle over Lively’s accusations against Baldani for nearly a year. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and lost wages.
In response, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist and the New York Times, claiming civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy. His case was dismissed in June, although he had a chance to file an amended complaint.
Judge Lewis Liman said he contacted all parties on 17 October to issue a warning that he would enter final judgements to conclude the case. Only Lively responded. She asked that her request for legal fees remain active, which the judge agreed to. Baldoni didn’t refile an amended complaint, so the case is now over.
In June, the judge ruled that Baldoni and his co-plaintiffs did not prove defamation because they had not alleged that Lively was responsible for any statements other than the statements made within her lawsuit, which are privileged under US law.
Lively’s original lawsuit against Baldoni is still ongoing. Baldoni has continued to deny the allegations against him.
Baldoni was the director and male lead in the film It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s book of the same name. He also co-owns Wayfarer Studios, the producer of the film. Lively was the female lead and a producer on the film.
Lively’s suit is expected to go to trial in March 2026.