A federal judge dismissed the majority of Blake Lively’s claims against actor and director Justin Baldoni, narrowing a high-profile legal battle tied to the film “It Ends With Us.”
In a ruling issued Thursday, April 2, Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of the 13 claims Lively brought against Baldoni, including allegations of harassment, defamation, and conspiracy.
Three claims—breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation—will move forward to trial, which is scheduled to begin in May.
Lively had accused Baldoni of inappropriate behavior during filming, including unwanted physical contact and crossing professional boundaries, according to court filings. She also alleged that Baldoni and his production company orchestrated a campaign to damage her reputation after she raised concerns about the work environment.
The judge did not rule on whether the alleged conduct occurred. Instead, the court found that certain legal standards cited in Lively’s claims did not apply to the circumstances of the case, leading to their dismissal.
Baldoni’s legal team has denied the allegations.
The ruling also dismissed Lively’s defamation claim related to statements made by Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman.
Despite the dismissals, key elements of the case remain active. Lively’s retaliation claims—centered on allegations that Baldoni and others sought to harm her career after she spoke out—will be considered at trial.
The lawsuit stems from Lively’s initial complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024, followed by a federal lawsuit later that month. She later expanded the case to include additional defendants tied to Baldoni’s production company.
Baldoni previously filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, which has since been dismissed by a federal judge.
The case has drawn widespread attention in the entertainment industry, with both sides disputing claims about what occurred during production of the 2024 film, based on the novel by Colleen Hoover.
The trial is currently scheduled to begin Monday, May 18.
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