Judge Dismisses Blake Lively’s Case Against Justin Baldoni
A federal judge in New York has dismissed actor Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, which included allegations of sexual harassment related to their work on the film “It Ends With Us.” While three claims, including retaliation, remain, a jury will likely hear many of these arguments anyway.
The decision, made by Judge Louis J. Lehman in Manhattan, came after Lively filed the lawsuit in December, detailing over a dozen complaints against Baldoni and others.
The trial is set to begin on May 18, following a brief conference call where legal teams discussed jury selection.
Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, previously countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleging defamation and extortion, but that request was dismissed by a judge last June.
In his ruling, Judge Lehman indicated that Lively operates as an independent contractor rather than an employee, ruling that she could not sue for sexual harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which combats employment discrimination on various grounds, including gender.
After examining the harassment claims, the judge suggested that those allegations needed to be viewed within the context of film production.
He recounted that Lively accused Baldoni of inappropriate actions during filming, including making gestures that suggested intimacy and physical contact. He acknowledged that such behaviors, if they occurred in different contexts, could validate a claim of a hostile work environment.
However, he also noted that Baldoni was merely “acting on the scene,” and any such behavior could be seen as typical between characters in a romantic setting. This reduces the implication of hostile treatment to Lively’s character rather than Lively personally, according to the judge.
Lehman emphasized the importance of creative freedom for artists, suggesting they should have the ability to explore within a written script without the fear of harassment claims. Despite these findings, some of Lively’s allegations may still go before a jury, particularly related to retaliation claims against It Ends With Us Movie LLC and Wayfarer Studios, alongside a persistent breach of contract claim.
In his comments, the judge highlighted certain problematic incidents, such as Baldoni allegedly asking Lively to remove her top during filming and making remarks that were considered inappropriate and distracting. There were also references to a birth scene where Lively was reportedly made to perform without sufficient privacy, raising further concerns about conduct on set.
Lehman remarked that while discussions about personal experiences can be part of the creative process, Baldoni might have overstepped when he disclosed private information about Lively to others on set.
Amidst the ongoing proceedings, lawyers for both parties have not commented publicly.
The adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel, “It Ends With Us,” was released in August 2024, shifting from a romantic story to a darker narrative involving domestic violence. Its debut exceeded box office expectations, grossing $50 million, though there were murmurs about tension between Lively and Baldoni during production.
Lively is known for her roles in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Gossip Girl,” while Baldoni gained recognition from “Jane the Virgin” and directed the film “Five Feet Apart,” also authoring a book that addresses traditional masculinity.
