The American judge has dismissed the case filed by actor and director Justin Baldoni against actor couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Baldoni had sued the two for defamation and demanded 400 million dollars (350 million euros).
The judge in New York ruled that Lively’s complaint against Baldoni is “legally protected.” This invalidates the director’s defamation case.
In December, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual misconduct, after their collaboration in the film It Ends with Us. Baldoni then sued Lively and her husband Reynolds for defamation.
Baldoni’s case against the PR manager of the Hollywood couple and the newspaper The New York Times has also been dropped. Earlier this year, the director sued the newspaper for 250 million dollars for defamation because of an article about Lively’s accusations. The judge ruled that the newspaper had adhered to journalistic principles.
Baldoni, who directed the film in which he and Lively starred, claims that Lively tried to gain control over the film. The judge dismissed that complaint, but Baldoni may amend and resubmit it.
Lively’s lawyers call the judge’s decision a “complete victory”. The lawsuit that Lively filed against Baldoni is scheduled for March 9, 2026.