Actor and director Justin Baldoni has faced a major legal setback in his long-running court battle with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. A New York judge officially ended Baldoni’s $400 million defamation countersuit against the couple after he failed to submit an amended complaint before the court’s deadline. The decision, signed by Judge Lewis J. Liman, marks the latest turn in a complicated legal feud that began nearly a year ago.
Justin Baldoni’s $400M countersuit against Lively ends
Justin Baldoni, known for directing and starring in It Ends With Us, had filed the massive countersuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, claiming they spread false and damaging information about him. The dispute began in December 2024, when Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us and of trying to ruin her reputation after the film’s release. Baldoni denied all allegations and responded with his own lawsuits, alleging defamation and extortion, which he said caused him huge professional and personal harm.
However, Judge Liman dismissed Justin Baldoni lawsuits in June 2025, saying the claims lacked enough legal evidence. The judge gave Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, time to revise their complaint, but they missed the deadline. Lively’s legal team asked the court to make the dismissal final and requested that her claim for legal fees remain active — a request the judge granted. Baldoni still has the option to appeal the decision, but for now, the court has closed this chapter of the case.
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In a statement following the ruling, Lively’s lawyers said the outcome was a “complete vindication” for their client. They called Baldoni’s countersuit “a sham” and said the court saw through the false claims. The legal team also mentioned plans to seek attorneys’ fees and punitive damages for what they described as abusive litigation. Lively herself spoke out earlier this year, saying she understood the emotional toll of retaliatory lawsuits and vowed to continue standing up for women’s rights and safety.
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While Lively’s original lawsuit against Baldoni is still set to go to trial in March 2026, this ruling closes one of the biggest parts of their legal battle. The case has drawn wide attention in Hollywood, both for its serious allegations and for the huge financial figures involved. For now, the stars remain focused on their next legal steps as the story continues to unfold.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
