Justin Baldoni has just been dealt a major blow after his $400million lawsuit against It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively was dismissed by a judge.
The pair, who starred in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name last year, have been embroiled in a bitter feud in recent months.
In December, the Gossip Girl actress, 37, launched legal proceedings against the 41-year-old – who also served as director – over claims she suffered ‘severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, embarrassment, belittlement, frustration and mental anguish’.
He denied all claims and filed a countersuit against her, husband Ryan Reynolds and their publicist, Leslie Sloane – alleging extortion and defamation – as well as separate documents against the New York Times.
According to People Magazine, Judge Lewis J Liman has granted a motional to dismiss the $400m countersuit, as well as the defamation filing against the publication.
‘The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her CRD complaint, which are privileged,’ he wrote, via the outlet.
‘The Wayfarer Parties have alleged that Reynolds and Sloane made additional statements accusing Baldoni of sexual misconduct and that the Times made additional statements accusing the Wayfarer Parties of engaging in a smear campaign.
‘But the Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Reynolds, Sloane or the Times would have seriously doubted these statements were true based on the information available to them, as is required for them to be liable for defamation under applicable law.
‘The Wayfarer Parties’ additional claims also fail. Accordingly, the Amended Complaint must be dismissed in its entirety.’
Lively’s lawsuits against Baldoni are still intact – although the latter filed a motion to dismiss them, the judge has not yet ruled on that.
In a statement shared with Metro, her legal team declared the decision was a ‘total victory and a complete vindication’.
‘Today’s opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane and The New York Times,’ Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb said.
‘As we have said from day one, this $400million lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it.
‘We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, Sarowitz, Nathan, and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.
Baldoni’s reps have not spoken publicly over the reports.
It Ends With Us was released in 2024, with Lively cast in the lead role of Lily Bloom opposite Baldoni as antagonist Ryle Kincaid.
Their characters embarked upon a relationship, but it took a turn for the worse when Ryle’s violent behavior was revealed.
Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Amy Morton and Brandon Sklenar also made up the cast.
The news comes just days after Lively requested to withdraw two claims she made about the filmmaker in her original proceedings.
In the legal complaint, the A Simple Favor actress made various allegations, but attempted to drop the claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress last week.
Variety reports that Baldoni’s legal team attempted to gain access to her medical records, therapy notes and other information relevant to her claims that she endured ‘severe emotional distress and pain’ on set.
Judge Liman wrote that the motion in question was denied ‘based on the Plaintiff’s representation that the relevant claims will be withdrawn.’
Metro has contacted reps for Lively and Baldoni for a comment.
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