US Court Throws Out Blake Lively’s Sexual Harassment Claims Against Justin Baldoni in ‘It Ends With Us’ Dispute

A US federal judge dismissed actor Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims in her lawsuit against actor and director Justin Baldoni, significantly narrowing her case over the filming of their 2024 romantic drama It Ends With Us.

US District Judge Lewis Liman’s 152-page decision followed more than a year of acrimonious litigation over the film, in which Lively and Baldoni co-starred and which Baldoni directed.

 

During a January court hearing, Lively’s lawyer, Esra Hudson, argued that Baldoni repeatedly went too far, including by deviating from the script and adding unnecessary sexual content.

Hudson alleged this included a dance sequence in which Baldoni “nuzzled” Lively without consent, and a scene in which Lively’s character was giving birth, where she was allegedly pressured to wear minimal clothing and simulate nudity.

Liman wrote that Baldoni’s alleged conduct appeared to be directed at Lively’s character in the scene, rather than at Lively herself.

“Creative artists, no less than comedy writers, must have some degree of freedom to experiment within the bounds of an agreed script without fear of being held liable for sexual harassment,” the judge wrote.

Liman said Lively can still attempt to convince jurors that Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, retaliated against her after she complained about misconduct on the film set.

The judge said jurors could consider whether the defendants “impermissibly and materially altered” Lively’s career prospects through what she described as a smear campaign, after Baldoni hired public relations and crisis management specialists.

“Certain conduct at least arguably crossed the line,” Liman added.

The case is scheduled to go to trial on May 18.

Liman’s decision means jurors will not decide whether Lively was sexually harassed, though some of her allegations of mistreatment could resurface as she pursues her retaliation claim.

Lively “looks forward to testifying” and demonstrating the efforts made to damage her reputation “because she stood up for safety on the set,” Sigrid McCawley, one of her lawyers, said in a statement.

Baldoni’s lawyers said they were pleased with the dismissal of the sexual harassment claims, as well as all claims against the five individual defendants, including Wayfarer chief executive Jamey Heath. The defendants have strongly denied any wrongdoing.

“What remains is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defence,” defence lawyers Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach said in a joint statement.

Lively’s case has been closely followed in Hollywood.

It has drawn in prominent figures such as singer Taylor Swift, model Gigi Hadid and actor Hugh Jackman, all of whom, according to Lively, may have information supporting her claims.

Lively, 38, sued Baldoni, Wayfarer and others in December 2024, seeking damages for alleged harassment, defamation, invasion of privacy, and violations of federal and state civil rights laws.

She alleged that the defendants created a sexually charged atmosphere during the film’s production and then sought to silence her and others from speaking out about the hostile environment.

Baldoni, 42, countered that he addressed Lively’s concerns as soon as they were raised, and that he was entitled to hire a crisis management firm after Lively began publicly criticising him.

Lively and Baldoni Filed Competing Lawsuits

In dismissing the sexual harassment claims, Liman said there would have been sufficient evidence for jurors to consider whether Lively’s beliefs were sincere, including her discomfort over comments about her physical appearance.

However, he held that Lively could not pursue those claims under a federal civil rights law because she was an independent contractor, not an employee. He also noted that she had brought claims under a California law, even though the alleged wrongful conduct took place elsewhere.

The dispute became public in December 2024 when Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department, followed by her lawsuit. A related article published in The New York Times was titled: “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.”

Baldoni sued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, for defamation, alleging they sought to damage his reputation, but Liman dismissed that case in June. The judge also dismissed Baldoni’s defamation claim against The New York Times.

It Ends With Us starred Lively as a flower shop owner who marries a neurosurgeon played by Baldoni.

His character becomes abusive, echoing her parents’ relationship, and the marriage collapses after her character reconnects with her first love, who has become a chef and restaurateur.

Despite mixed reviews, the film grossed more than $351 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.