A federal judge has dismissed the majority of Blake Lively’s allegations against her co-star and director Justin Baldoni related to their 2024 film It Ends With Us, marking a pivotal development in their ongoing legal dispute. Judge Lewis Liman rejected 10 out of 13 claims, which included accusations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy linked to the film’s production.
Despite this significant reduction, three claims remain active and will advance to trial: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation. This ensures the legal battle will continue in court.
Lively had accused Baldoni of fostering a hostile work environment during filming, citing inappropriate remarks about her weight and body. These allegations first emerged in a December 2024 report. She also alleged that after raising these concerns, Baldoni and associates at Wayfarer Studios orchestrated a retaliatory smear campaign against her online.
Baldoni has denied all accusations, asserting that any criticism of Lively on social media was spontaneous and not orchestrated. He subsequently filed a defamation suit against the publication that broke the story.
The ruling has sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some view the dismissal of key claims as a major defeat for Lively, while others emphasize the seriousness of the remaining allegations moving forward. The case has attracted considerable public attention, partly due to the involvement of high-profile figures such as Taylor Swift.
In January 2025, the dispute escalated when Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. This countersuit was dismissed in June 2025. The legal proceedings also saw Swift drawn in after Baldoni attempted to subpoena her, leading to the unsealing of text messages between Swift and Lively.
Efforts to settle the matter through mediation last month were unsuccessful, setting the stage for a courtroom confrontation scheduled for May 2026. The film It Ends With Us, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel, was a box office hit, further intensifying public interest in the case.
Although most of Lively’s claims have been dismissed, the remaining allegations ensure that the dispute remains unresolved and will continue to unfold in the coming months.
