Justin Baldoni Sues Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for $400 Million.
In a dramatic turn of events, Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, in early January 2025. The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court, alleges extortion, defamation, and breach of contract. This legal battle stems from allegations of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign during the production of the film “It Ends With Us.”
Blake Lively had previously sued Baldoni for sexual harassment, which she claimed occurred on the set of the movie. In response, Baldoni countersued Lively and Reynolds, accusing them of orchestrating a campaign to damage his reputation and career. The lawsuit also names Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, and her firm Vision PR Inc., as defendants.
The situation has garnered significant attention in Hollywood, with both sides presenting their versions of events. Baldoni’s legal team argues that Lively and her team disseminated false and doctored information to the media, while Lively’s representatives claim that Baldoni’s lawsuit is an attempt to discredit her allegations of harassment.
The fallout from this legal battle has been intense, with both parties engaging in a public war of words. Baldoni’s lawsuit alleges that Lively and Reynolds hijacked the production and marketing of “It Ends With Us” and manipulated the media to smear Baldoni and others on the production with false allegations of sexual and other harassment. Lively’s legal team has countered that Baldoni’s lawsuit is a typical tactic abusers use to discredit victims by turning the tables on them.
The lawsuit has also raised questions about the treatment of female actors both on sets and in media. Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign have sparked discussions about the need for better protections for actors and more transparency in the industry. The legal battle between Baldoni and Lively is likely to continue for some time, with both sides presenting evidence and testimony in court.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the future of “It Ends With Us” and the careers of those involved remain uncertain. The lawsuit represents a significant escalation in the ongoing feud between Baldoni and Lively, with both parties seeking to protect their reputations and careers.
