US Judge dismisses Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively

Judge ends Justin Baldoni defamation lawsuit after missed court deadline

A federal judge in Manhattan has officially dismissed actor Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, after the actor failed to meet a court deadline, according to US media reports.

The case, filed in January 2025, stemmed from Lively’s own sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni, which she lodged in December 2024 with the California Civil Rights Department. Lively accused Baldoni of harassment and retaliatory behavior during the production of It Ends With Us, which he directed and co-produced through Wayfarer Studios.

Judge Lewis Liman of the US District Court had previously dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit in June, allowing him the option to amend the complaint. However, Baldoni missed the October 17 deadline to file the amendment, prompting the judge to formally end the case on Friday.

The defamation suit was one of several legal disputes between the two actors. In addition to suing Lively, Baldoni had filed a separate libel claim against The New York Times for its coverage of the allegations. His countersuit against Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, was also dismissed earlier this year, as the court ruled that statements made within a lawsuit are legally protected.

According to reports, Judge Liman has instructed both parties to prepare for a March 9, 2026 trial, which will focus on Lively’s harassment claims. Baldoni still retains the right to appeal the dismissal once the court addresses motions related to Lively’s request for reimbursement of legal fees.