Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Filed by Justin Baldoni Against Blake Lively
A judge dismissed a lawsuit on Monday from actor and director Justin Baldoni against his co-star Blake Lively, who he accused of sexual harassment and retaliation, stating “it’s over with us.”
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman’s ruling marks a recent turn in a contentious legal dispute centered around a dark romantic drama that involved Baldoni in late December.
In January, Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios launched a $400 million counterclaim against Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, claiming both defamation and emotional distress.
The New York court ruled that Baldoni could not proceed with his claims of defamation and emotional distress, as the allegations in the lawsuit did not meet the necessary legal definitions. Judge Liman also noted that Baldoni’s assertions about the impact on the film’s creative control did not hold under California law.
Lively was accused in the lawsuit of threatening to withhold promotion of the film. However, Judge Liman stated that Wayfarer had not claimed Lively was legally obligated to market the film or approve its promotional materials.
Baldoni’s legal team will have the option to revise their case if they wish to pursue other claims concerning a breach of contract by Lively, as per the judge’s guidance.
Initially, the film starts as a romance but takes a darker turn involving domestic violence, which premiered in August and grossed $50 million at the box office. Yet, its release was overshadowed by speculation regarding tension between Baldoni and Lively.
The judge also dismissed Baldoni’s defamation and emotional distress lawsuit against The New York Times, which had reported on Lively’s allegations of harassment.
“Today’s decision represents a complete victory for Blake Lively,” said a statement regarding the testimonial of Baldoni, alongside Wayfarer and Reynolds, being embroiled in retaliatory lawsuits.
Baldoni’s lawyer mentioned they are eager for the next phase, seeking legal fees and potential punitive damages.
A spokesperson for The New York Times expressed gratitude for the court’s dismissal of the lawsuit, praising the importance of honest journalism and emphasizing the intention to cover matters of national significance. Charlie Statlander mentioned in an email that the court’s ruling underscores the law aimed at protecting such journalism.
The Associated Press has reached out to Baldoni’s attorneys for further comments.
Baldoni is known for his role in the television series Jane the Virgin, directing the 2019 film “Five Foot Apart,” and authoring “Man Enough,” a book that critiques traditional masculinity concepts.
