BREAKING: Judge SLAMS Justin Baldoni’s $400M Lawsuit into the Ground — Declares Case “Baseless and Retaliatory” in Breathtaking Courtroom Reversal That Leaves Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Vindicated

Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, was tossed out on Monday in a shocking legal twist.

Judge Lewis J. Liman granted the motion to dismiss the actor’s January countersuit — as well as his $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times — according to documents obtained by Page Six.


Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds has been dismissed.Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com


A judge granted the motion on Monday.Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
Liman wrote that Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios production company “have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her [California Civil Rights Department] complaint, which are privileged.”

Lively, notably, made headlines for her complaint, in which she accused her “It Ends With Us” co-star of sexual harassment, in December 2024.

The judge explained that Baldoni’s lawsuit “alleged that Reynolds and [publicist Leslie] 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.”

However, Liman continued, “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.”

Baldoni’s legal team has until June 23 to amend their claims for breach of implied covenant (suggesting that terms agreed upon in their legal agreement were violated) and tortious interference with contract (intentionally disrupting the relationship or contractual agreement between parties, potentially leading to significant financial damages and reputational harm).


Baldoni made headlines for suing Lively and Reynolds in January.vancityreynolds/Instagram


The actress’ lawyers called Judge Lewis J. Liman’s decision a “complete vindication.”GC Images
In a statement to Page Six, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, said: “Ms. Lively and her team’s predictable declaration of victory is false, so let us be clear about the latest ruling. While the Court dismissed the defamation related claims, the Court has invited us to amend four out of the seven claims against Ms. Lively, which will showcase additional evidence and refined allegations.”

Freedman said this case is about “false accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation and a nonexistent smear campaign, which Ms. Lively’s own team conveniently describes as ‘untraceable’ because they cannot prove what never happened.”

The attorney also claimed Lively’s allegations “are no truer today than they were yesterday, and with the facts on our side, we march forward with the same confidence that we had when Ms. Lively and her cohorts initiated this battle and look forward to her forthcoming deposition, which I will be taking.

“We are grateful for the organic show of support from the public and for the dedication of the Internet sleuth community who continue to cover the case with discernment and integrity.”


The attorneys labeled Baldoni’s lawsuit a “sham.”©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection


They plan to seek attorney fees and damages from the actor as the “next round” of their legal battle.Corey Sipkin for New York Post
A rep for Reynolds did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.

Lively’s lawyers, Esra Hudson & Mike Gottlieb, celebrated the decision as a “total victory and a complete vindication” for the actress in a statement to Page Six.

The attorneys wrote, “As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it.

They are “look[ing] forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages” over the “abusive litigation.”


Lively and Baldoni’s movie, “It Ends With Us,” premiered in August 2024.©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection


She filed a sexual harassment complaint against her co-star four months later.Nancy Rivera / SplashNews.com
Lively and Baldoni sparked feud rumors when their project, which was adapted from Colleen Hoover’s book of the same name, premiered in August 2024.

Shortly after filing her complaint last year, Lively officially sued the “Jane the Virgin” alum for alleged sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and lost wages.

Justin, who shares two children with wife Emily Baldoni, has continued to deny any wrongdoing.


She sued the “Jane the Virgin” alum in December 2024.GC Images


Baldoni, who countersued in January, has continued to deny any wrongdoing.Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
News broke last week that Baldoni’s lawsuit was in jeopardy since it relied largely on a text from journalist James Vituscka claiming Lively’s publicist told him the “Gossip Girl” alum was “sexually assaulted” by Baldoni — which the reporter has since walked back.

“I meant to say, ‘sexually harassed,’” Vituscka wrote in a legal declaration Friday. “I regret this error.”

Additionally, Lively requested to withdraw her claims that she suffered from “intentional infliction of emotional distress” and “negligent infliction of emotional distress” as a result of Baldoni’s alleged misconduct. However, this request was denied by Liman.