Judge Throws Out Justin Baldoni's Lawsuit Against Blake Lively

Blake Lively's team has claimed victory in a lawsuit filed against her co-star Justin Baldoni after a judge ruled that Baldoni cannot sue Lively for defamation over claims she made in her original lawsuit. Lively was accused of making allegations in her lawsuit that were exempt from libel claims. The judge also dismissed Baldoni's claims that Lively stole creative control of the film, as extortion under California law required more than just a threat to refuse to promote the film. While Lively was accused in the lawsuit of threatening to refuse to promote the film, Wayfarer Studios did not allege facts showing that Lively had an obligation to promote the film. The judge allowed Baldoni's legal team to revise the lawsuit if they wanted to pursue different claims related to whether Lively breached a contract. The lawsuit's dismissal follows Lively's original lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of making inappropriate physical advances and creating a hostile work environment.

Key Takeaways:

• District Court Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Baldoni cannot sue Lively for defamation over claims she made in her original lawsuit.
• The judge found that allegations made in a lawsuit are exempt from libel claims.
• Baldoni's claims that Lively stole creative control of the film did not count as extortion under California law.
• Wayfarer Studios did not allege facts showing that Lively had an obligation to promote the film.
• Lively was accused in the lawsuit of threatening to refuse to promote the film.
• Baldoni's legal team can revise the lawsuit if they want to pursue different claims related to whether Lively breached a contract.
• The judge also dismissed Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, which reported on Lively's sexual harassment allegations.
• Lively accused Baldoni of making inappropriate physical advances, creating a hostile work environment, and orchestrating a smear campaign against her.
• The lawsuit follows Lively's original accusation of sexual harassment, which she made in December 2023.

Statistics:

• Lively's original lawsuit was filed in December 2023.
• The lawsuit was filed against Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios.
• The lawsuit accused Baldoni of making $400 million in damages, including defamation and extortion.
• Lively's sexual harassment allegations were reported by The New York Times.
• It Ends With Us, the film in which the harassment allegations took place, exceeded box office expectations with a $50 million debut.
• Lively has appeared in films such as The Town and The Shallows, as well as the TV series Gossip Girl from 2007 to 2012.

Sources:

• Associated Press
• NBC/2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC
• The New York Times
• The Associated Press
• Getty Images
• Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, attorneys for Blake Lively