Justin Baldoni's Countersuit Against Blake Lively Has Been Tossed

Back in December 2024, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment, retaliation, and emotional distress over his alleged behavior on the set of It Ends with Us. The emotional distress claims were dropped last week, reportedly because Lively did not want to give Baldoni access to her medical records. The other claims remain active, and the trial is scheduled for March 2026.

In response, Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, essentially alleging defamation. He also sued The New York Times for $250 million, again for defamation, tied to the article the Times published detailing Lively’s original allegations against him.

Those suits have now been tossed out. The judge ruled that Baldoni did not present enough evidence that Lively, Reynolds, or the Times knowingly spread false information about him. In short, the court rejected the countersuits. However, the judge left a small door open, allowing Baldoni to revise and refile two narrower claims: breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with a contract. He has until June 23 to do so. If he doesn’t, he will have no remaining legal claims in his countersuit.

Lively’s team is, unsurprisingly, pleased with the dismissal. They called the lawsuit a sham and indicated they will seek attorneys’ fees and damages, arguing that Baldoni’s countersuit was frivolous.

Alas, this is not the end of the litigation surrounding It Ends with Us. The main event—Lively’s trial against Baldoni set for March 2026—is still moving forward. There’s also a separate legal battle between Baldoni’s publicist, Stephanie Jones, and his production company, Wayfarer Studios. Still, this ruling is all but a death knell for Baldoni’s legal counteroffensive.