Posted on 11/03/2025 3:35:50 PM PST by nickcarraway
Justin Baldoni suffered a massive blow in his legal war with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.
The “It Ends With Us” director’s $400 million defamation countersuit against the couple was formally ended by Judge Lewis J. Liman after Baldoni, 41, declined to file an amended complaint, according to court documents obtained by The Post.
Liman signed a new order on Friday that stated Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios co-plaintiffs let the deadline lapse after their case was dismissed back in June. The judge said he had issued an order on Oct. 17 to warn them that he was considering entering a final judgement to end the case.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Ping
It ain’t over yet. Lively’s claims against him are due to be adjudicated next year.
### The Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Feud: A Hollywood Legal Saga
The phrase “Justin Baldoni vs. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds” refers to an ongoing high-profile dispute stemming from the 2024 film *It Ends with Us*, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel about domestic abuse. Baldoni directed and starred opposite Lively, but production tensions escalated into lawsuits alleging harassment, retaliation, defamation, and extortion. Reynolds, Lively’s husband and a producer on the film, became embroiled when Baldoni accused him of involvement in a smear campaign. As of November 3, 2025, Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Lively and Reynolds has been officially dismissed, but Lively’s original claims against Baldoni remain active and are set for trial in March 2026.
#### Timeline of Key Events
Here’s a chronological overview of the conflict, based on court filings, media reports, and public statements:
| Date | Event | Details |
|———|————|-————|
| July 2019 | Project Announced | Baldoni acquires rights to *It Ends with Us* via his production company, Wayfarer Studios. |
| January 2023 | Casting Confirmed | Lively cast as Lily Bloom; Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid. Reynolds joins as a producer. |
| January 2024 | “All Hands” Meeting | Lively raises concerns about on-set behavior during a production meeting attended by Reynolds, Baldoni, and others. She demands an “intimacy coordinator” for scenes and boundaries on discussions of her personal life. Baldoni allegedly agrees but later violates them. |
| August 2024 | Film Release | *It Ends with Us* premieres amid rumors of a feud; Lively and Baldoni do separate press tours. |
| December 20, 2024 | Lively’s Complaint Filed | Lively files a California Civil Rights Department (CRD) sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni and Wayfarer, alleging a hostile work environment, inappropriate comments (e.g., Baldoni reportedly dragging his lips down her neck and saying “It smells so good”), and retaliation via a smear campaign. She claims Baldoni made other women uncomfortable and breached agreements on explicit scenes. |
| December 21, 2024 | NYT Reports Allegations | *The New York Times* publishes an exposé on Lively’s claims, citing texts and emails. Baldoni denies the allegations. |
| December 31, 2024 | Baldoni Sues NYT | Baldoni and Wayfarer file a $250 million defamation suit against the NYT, alleging biased reporting. |
| January 2025 | Baldoni’s Countersuit | Baldoni, Wayfarer, and associates sue Lively, Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane for $400 million, claiming extortion (Lively allegedly used her complaint to demand script changes and control), defamation (e.g., Reynolds called Baldoni a “sexual predator”), and privacy invasion. They accuse the group of a coordinated PR attack, including texts mocking Baldoni. |
| February 20, 2025 | Lively Sues Baldoni | Lively files a federal lawsuit in New York against Baldoni and Wayfarer for sexual harassment, emotional distress, breach of contract, and the smear campaign. She seeks unspecified damages. |
| March 2025 | Motions to Dismiss | Lively moves to dismiss Baldoni’s suit, arguing her statements were opinions or protected under anti-SLAPP laws (shielding #MeToo claims). Reynolds files separately, denying involvement beyond the 2024 meeting. Baldoni opposes, claiming the NYT “vouched” for false narratives. |
| June 9, 2025 | Initial Dismissal | Federal Judge Lewis J. Liman dismisses Baldoni’s $400M suit and $250M NYT suit. He rules Lively’s allegations are protected by California’s Standing Against Litigation Harassment (anti-SLAPP) law, Reynolds’ comments align with her complaint (no “actual malice” proven), and the NYT’s reporting is privileged. Baldoni can amend four claims. Lively’s lawyers hail it as a “total victory.” |
| October 31, 2025 | Final Judgment | Baldoni misses the deadline to amend or appeal. Judge Liman enters final judgment, ending the countersuit. Lively’s motion for legal fees from Baldoni remains pending. |
| November 2025 (Ongoing) | Depositions and Trial Prep | Witnesses like Jenny Slate, Colleen Hoover, and Lively’s ex-agent have been deposed. Taylor Swift’s texts with Lively were subpoenaed but criticized as “clickbait.” Lively’s suit proceeds to trial in March 2026. |
#### Core Allegations
- **Lively’s Side**: Baldoni created a toxic set, ignored intimacy protocols, made lewd comments about her body and marriage, and launched a “text group” smear campaign post-complaint (e.g., mocking her as “overbearing”). She claims this violated implied contracts for a safe workplace and caused emotional distress. Reynolds’ role was limited to supporting her at the 2024 meeting.
- **Baldoni’s Side (Now Dismissed)**: Lively’s demands were “extortionate” (e.g., script rewrites to remove abuse themes), her claims fabricated for leverage, and Reynolds fueled defamation by labeling him a predator and influencing his agency drop (WME ended representation in December 2024). He denied harassment, calling it a “false narrative.”
#### Public and Cultural Impact
- **Media Buzz**: Social media speculated Reynolds trolled Baldoni in *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024) via the “Nicepool” character, though unconfirmed. Baldoni’s lawyer called it insensitive if true.
- **Industry Fallout**: Baldoni lost his agent; the feud overshadowed the film’s $350M+ box office success. Lively posted on Instagram about “manufactured shame” in retaliatory suits, vowing to fight for women’s voices.
- **Legal Precedents**: The dismissal reinforces #MeToo protections, shielding complainants from countersuits unless malice is proven. Sources close to Baldoni claim he “did not miss” the deadline intentionally but chose not to pursue amended claims, per Us Weekly.
This case highlights tensions in Hollywood over power dynamics, intimacy in filming abuse scenes, and PR warfare. Lively’s suit could set further precedents if it reaches trial. For the latest, court dockets in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York are public.
A but misleading as they still go to trial in March for all the main initial faux #MeToo allegations lodged against him.
Siding with Megyn Kelly on this one, totally Team Justin! :)
https://youtu.be/ibAMty0N6Ew?si=NOG68S8qzHVLVpZy
From the bits and pieces I have heard about Blake (and Ryan), it would be wonderful if Justin turns away from the woke nonsense because of dealing with Blake Lively.
Should I be concerned that I don’t know who any of those people are?
SEEMS “IT NEVER ENDS”
Exactly! Wokeness was in fact weaponized against Justin Baldoni and many of the figures coming to Baldoni’s defense happen to be from the right!
At the end of the day it’s a non-partisan matter of fairness, and a case study in the Hollywood Elite, and the Media Elite’s abuses of power.
“”Should I be concerned that I don’t know who any of those people are?””
I’m with you but just think - an issue we don’t need to concern ourselves with. That’s a big PLUS in my book!
Only that the drive to be known by the likes of you and the remainder of the far reaches of the world, can make even the most already-successful people do the darndest things. 🙄 And that’s what this case is a study in. The ruthless quest for fame and power.
No
You are in good, and NUMEROUS company.
While we all enjoy good acting, I could care less about most of it
That said, there are some names I know. I believe I could listen to Morgan Freeman reading anything. Great voice. James Earl Jones also. .
is she really woke??? I’ve not seen any of her movies- the last movie i saw was “Becoming Led Zeppelin” which was the first time i saw a movie in almost 20 years...
She is gorgeous though....
I think they got all the publicity they desired…
Justin has said many times that women never lies, and men are always guilty, so, hopefully he will stand by his beliefs, and admit he is guilty.
It will probably be the opposite. He has so many conservatives backing him, that when this is all over he go after some big name conservative, make up some allegations against JD Vance.
I’d agree with you, but it’s pathetic how many conservatives support this guy.
He is woke, not her.
You - the public - should just want the truth in the end. He is way less wealthy and has endured and lost way more through all this. So if you’re wrong, or just being tribal or partisan for the sake of it, just realize these are real lives involved. He has a beautiful wife himself, and they all have very young children.
Good. How many men's lives did he destroy? He should have to pay by the same rules.]
many of the figures coming to Baldoni’s defense happen to be from the right!
Which is absolutely pathetic. And he's going to use that. After this is all done, he will get his reputation back. He's going to find someone to accuse a major conservative rape. Probably will effect the outcome of the 2028 election.
And the media and the wokesters will point out the fact that conservatives were his biggest supporters, so it must be true.
The blowback from this is going to be huge.
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