When the co-star of a hit film files a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct against its director, the fallout tends to ripple far beyond the courtroom. That is exactly what happened after Blake Lively accused Justin Baldoni of inappropriate behavior during production of “It Ends with Us” — and what followed was a sprawling, high-profile legal battle that has now produced a significant court ruling. Federal Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims in April 2026, though her case is far from over.
Lawsuit Filed: December 2024 · Damages Sought: Nearly $500 million · Ruling Date: April 2, 2026 · Claims Dismissed: 10 of 13 · Film: It Ends with Us
Quick snapshot
- Judge Lewis J. Liman issued a 152-page ruling on April 2, 2026 (NBC News)
- Dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims including sexual harassment
- Three claims survive: retaliation, breach of contract, aiding and abetting
- Whether Lively will appeal the dismissed claims
- Exact trial date following the March 2026 ruling
- Whether other women’s complaints will feature in surviving claims
- Key pretrial activity: February 3, 2025 conference
- Initial trial set for March 9, 2026
- Post-ruling status conference pending
- Two retaliation claims will proceed to jury on harassment allegations
- Breach of contract claim against It Ends With Us Movie LLC continues
- Potential appeals from either side
The table below summarizes the key facts established through court filings and media reports from NBC News, CBS News, and Good Morning America.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Film | It Ends with Us |
| Lawsuit Date | December 2024 |
| Ruling Date | April 2, 2026 |
| Ruling Length | 152 pages |
| Dismissed Claims | 10 of 13 |
| Surviving Claims | 3 (retaliation, breach, aiding) |
| Baldoni Countersuit | October 31, 2025 |
What is happening with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?
The legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has grown into one of the entertainment industry’s messiest courtroom battles in recent memory. What began as allegations tied to the “It Ends with Us” film set has expanded into multiple lawsuits, counter-lawsuits, and a cascade of public accusations.
Background on the conflict
Lively, who starred in and produced the 2024 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestseller, accused Baldoni — who directed and co-starred — of sexual misconduct during production. According to her December 2024 complaint, Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios engaged in a “social manipulation campaign” designed to destroy her reputation (Good Morning America).
Baldoni denied the allegations and, on January 16, 2025, filed his own $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and Vision PR for extortion and defamation (Good Morning America). The countersuit accused Lively of attempting to rob him of creative control over the film.
Key events summary
Judge Liman consolidated both cases and initially set trial for March 9, 2026. A pretrial conference on February 3, 2025 addressed concerns about publicity and attorney conduct. Baldoni’s countersuit was dismissed in June 2025, with final judgment entered on October 31, 2025 (Good Morning America).
The case has become a landmark in how Hollywood handles workplace conduct disputes, with both sides claiming victimhood and seeking hundreds of millions in damages.
Why did Blake Lively sue Justin Baldoni?
Lively’s December 2024 lawsuit alleged that Baldoni engaged in behavior that made her “unsafe” during filming, including unwanted physical contact and conversations about sexual experiences (CBS News). Her amended complaint stated she raised concerns in 2023 — contemporaneous with production — rather than in a calculated move to gain leverage.
Allegations of sexual harassment
Lively claimed Baldoni made other women on set uncomfortable as well, allegations she detailed in filings from February 2025 (CBS News). She sought nearly $500 million in damages from Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and several executives including CEO Jamey Heath.
Retaliation claims
Central to Lively’s case was the argument that after she complained about Baldoni’s conduct, the production company retaliated against her — including allegedly orchestrating the negative social media campaign she described. These retaliation claims are among the three that survived Judge Liman’s April 2026 ruling (CBS News).
Under federal employment law, retaliation claims can proceed even when underlying harassment claims are dismissed — a legal distinction that keeps Lively’s case alive despite the April ruling.
Why did Justin Baldoni apologize to Blake Lively?
In early 2025, Baldoni released a voice memo — reportedly sent at 2 a.m. — in which he apologized to Lively amid rising tensions. The recording became a notable piece of evidence in the case, with Lively’s team arguing it demonstrated awareness of inappropriate behavior.
Details of the voice memo
The memo, authenticated during legal proceedings, captured Baldoni acknowledging concerns raised about his conduct. Legal analysts noted it represented an unusual strategic move by the defense, potentially damaging their case by showing consciousness of guilt.
Context of the apology
Baldoni’s attorney, Freedman, described the lawsuit against Lively as “based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her team’s duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni” (Good Morning America). This framing directly contradicted the narrative Lively presented in her filings.
“false narrative crumbles under the indisputable truth that Ms. Lively was not alone in complaining about Mr. Baldoni” — Lively’s Amended Complaint
What is the latest court ruling?
On April 2, 2026, Judge Liman issued a sweeping 152-page summary judgment that dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims — including the core sexual harassment allegations, defamation, and conspiracy claims (NBC News). The ruling determined that no reasonable jury could find in Lively’s favor on those specific points.
Judge dismisses claims
The judge determined that Lively was an independent contractor rather than an employee, a classification that barred her Title VII sexual harassment claims under federal law (CBS News). Regarding the slow dancing scene at the center of one harassment allegation, Judge Liman noted Baldoni’s conduct was “not so far beyond what might reasonably be expected to take place between two characters during a slow dancing scene” (CBS News).
Blake Lively’s response
Lively spoke out immediately after the ruling, vowing to continue fighting. Her legal team filed Instagram posts emphasizing that the $300 million-plus battle was not over. The surviving retaliation and breach of contract claims mean a jury will still hear aspects of her case.
The two retaliation claims surviving Judge Liman’s ruling is significant — they open a door for the jury to hear harassment allegations even if the standalone harassment claims cannot proceed.
What is Blake Lively accused of?
Baldoni’s countersuit, before its dismissal, accused Lively of orchestrating a scheme to seize control of the film and damage his career. The suit named Ryan Reynolds as a co-conspirator, claiming the actor helped draft the complaint that led to Lively’s lawsuit (Good Morning America).
Baldoni’s defense
Baldoni consistently denied all sexual harassment claims and argued that Lively’s complaints were fabricated to gain leverage over the film’s marketing and creative direction. His legal team filed for $400 million in damages, claiming the actress engaged in extortion.
False allegations claims
Attorney Freedman’s characterization of Lively’s suit as “duplicitous” framed the actress as the true aggressor in the dispute. However, with Baldoni’s countersuit now formally dismissed in October 2025, that narrative has lost its legal foundation — though Baldoni retains the right to appeal.
Current case status
The case remains active in federal court in Manhattan, New York. While 10 claims were dismissed, three survive — including one breach of contract claim against It Ends With Us Movie LLC that may proceed independently of the personal claims against Baldoni.
The implication: even with most claims dismissed, the surviving breach of contract action could still yield financial recovery for Lively if she proves any production agreements were violated.
Timeline
Key events in the Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni legal dispute, drawn from court filings and major news reports.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2024 Production | It Ends with Us filming; tensions rise between Lively and Baldoni |
| December 2024 | Blake Lively files lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios |
| January 16, 2025 | Baldoni files $400 million countersuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and others |
| January 27, 2025 | Judge Liman sets trial for March 9, 2026 and signals case consolidation |
| February 3, 2025 | Pretrial conference addresses publicity and attorney conduct concerns |
| February 2025 | Baldoni’s countersuit dismissed; he opts not to amend on June 24 |
| October 31, 2025 | Judge formally ends Baldoni’s counterclaim with final judgment |
| April 2, 2026 | Judge Liman dismisses 10 of Lively’s 13 claims in 152-page ruling |
| April 2026 | Lively speaks out, vows to continue fighting on remaining claims |
Confirmed facts
- Lawsuit filed December 2024 (CBS News)
- Baldoni countersuit dismissed October 31, 2025 (Good Morning America)
- Judge dismissed 10 of 13 claims April 2, 2026 (NBC News)
- Three claims survive: retaliation, breach, aiding (CBS News)
- Judge ruled on Title VII employment classification (CBS News)
What’s unclear
- Whether Lively will appeal dismissed claims
- Exact timing of any future trial
- How other women’s experiences factor into surviving claims
- Baldoni’s appeal plans regarding his dismissed countersuit
Quotes
“a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence detailing Blake Lively and her team’s duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni”
— Freedman, Baldoni’s Attorney (Good Morning America)
“the conduct was not so far beyond what might reasonably be expected to take place between two characters during a slow dancing scene”
— Judge Lewis J. Liman, Federal Judge (CBS News)
The pattern here is striking: both sides have presented themselves as victims of a coordinated campaign by the other, yet the court has moved incrementally, dismissing one side’s claims while allowing aspects of the other to proceed. For Hollywood, the implications extend beyond this single case — workplace conduct standards for independent contractors, the role of publicists in litigation strategy, and the weaponization of social media narratives are all now part of the conversation.
What this means: the independent contractor classification used to dismiss Lively’s harassment claims could reshape how studios structure talent agreements going forward, with ripple effects for workplace conduct enforcement across the industry.
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youtube.com, goodmorningamerica.com, cbsnews.com, abcnews.com, en.wikipedia.org, thelawsuitinfo.com
Judge Liman’s dismissal of 10 claims represents a key development in the lawsuit timeline, with retaliation and contract disputes still pending in the $500M battle.
Frequently asked questions
What movie did Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni star in together?
They co-starred in “It Ends with Us” (2024), a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. Baldoni directed and co-starred opposite Lively, who also served as a producer.
When was the judge’s ruling in the case?
Federal Judge Lewis J. Liman issued his ruling on April 2, 2026, dismissing 10 of Lively’s 13 claims in a 152-page summary judgment.
What damages is Blake Lively seeking?
Lively is seeking nearly $500 million in damages from Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and several executives involved in the film’s production.
Is the case over after the dismissal?
No. Three claims survive Judge Liman’s ruling: two retaliation claims and one breach of contract claim against It Ends With Us Movie LLC. The case remains active in federal court in Manhattan.
What production company is involved?
Wayfarer Studios, Baldoni’s production company, is a co-defendant in Lively’s suit. CEO Jamey Heath was among the plaintiffs in Baldoni’s now-dismissed countersuit.
How did the conflict start on set?
According to Lively’s complaint, tensions arose during production in 2024, with Lively alleging Baldoni engaged in unwanted physical contact and inappropriate conversations. She claims she raised concerns in 2023, contemporaneous with filming.
Did Baldoni apologize to Lively?
In early 2025, Baldoni reportedly sent Lively a voice memo — recorded at 2 a.m. — in which he apologized amid rising tensions. The recording became evidence in the legal proceedings.
What claims survived the April 2026 ruling?
Two retaliation claims survived, which may allow a jury to hear harassment allegations even without standalone harassment claims. A breach of contract claim against the film’s production entity also remains active.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Watch, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.