Justin Baldoni asks judge to dismiss Blake Lively lawsuit over 'It Ends With Us'

Justin Baldoni is asking a judge to dismiss Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us lawsuit, calling her claims “petty slights”

Justin Baldoni has asked a federal judge to dismiss Blake Lively’s lawsuit tied to their 2024 film It Ends With Us, arguing that her claims amount to minor grievances rather than actionable misconduct.

During a hearing in New York, Baldoni’s legal team said Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment were built on what they described as “petty slights” that do not meet the legal threshold for discrimination. Baldoni directed and co-starred in the film, which was produced by his company, Wayfarer Studios.

Lively, 38, has accused Baldoni and the studio of creating an inappropriate environment on set and coordinating efforts to silence her and others who raised concerns. Her lawsuit alleges harassment, invasion of privacy, and violations of federal and state civil rights laws, with a trial currently scheduled for May.

Court filings made public this week include claims that Baldoni pressured Lively to simulate nudity during a childbirth scene and introduced unnecessary sexualized elements into certain sequences.

Messages between Lively and Taylor Swift were also released, including one text in which Swift allegedly compared the working relationship to an unseen “horror film.”

Baldoni’s attorney argued that context matters when filming adult-themed material and said the claims reflect ordinary creative disagreements rather than discrimination. The judge, however, noted that a series of smaller actions could still collectively form a serious issue.

Lively’s legal team countered that Baldoni repeatedly crossed professional boundaries and added sexual content beyond what was required by the script. They argued that a jury should decide whether the conduct contributed to a toxic environment on set.

Baldoni has denied the allegations and maintains that he addressed any concerns as soon as they were raised. His lawyers also said he was justified in hiring crisis management professionals after Lively spoke publicly about the dispute.

The case became public in December 2024, when Lively filed complaints with California regulators and later sued. Baldoni’s previous countersuits against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times were dismissed last year.

Despite mixed reviews, It Ends With Us was a box office success, earning more than $351 million worldwide.