Judge Throws Out Justin Baldoni's $400m Lawsuit Against Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds In Shocking Turn

A stunning courtroom twist unfolded on Monday as Justin Baldoni’s massive $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds was officially dismissed.

Federal Judge Lewis J. Liman granted the request to throw out the countersuit Baldoni filed back in January, along with a separate $250 million libel case he had launched against the New York Times, as confirmed by court documents seen by Page Six.

Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds has been dismissed. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com

Judge Liman noted in his ruling that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, the production company he co-founded, "have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her (California Civil Rights Department) complaint, which are privileged."

A judge granted the motion on Monday. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

Lively previously made headlines when she filed her complaint in December 2024. In it, she accused her "It Ends With Us" co-star of inappropriate behavior on set.

The court added that Baldoni’s complaint "alleged that Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane made additional statements accusing Baldoni of sexual misconduct and that the 'Times' made additional statements accusing the Wayfarer Parties of engaging in a smear campaign."

Baldoni made headlines for suing Lively and Reynolds in January. vancityreynolds/Instagram

However, Liman pointed out that "The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Reynolds, Sloane or the 'Times' would have seriously doubted these statements were true based on the information available to them, as is required for them to be liable for defamation under applicable law."

The actress’ lawyers called Judge Lewis J. Liman’s decision a “complete vindication.” GC Images

At this stage, Baldoni’s legal team still has a window to act. They have until June 23 to revise and resubmit parts of their claims—specifically those alleging breach of implied covenant and interference with a contractual relationship.

When reached by Page Six, representatives for both Ryan Reynolds and Justin Baldoni did not immediately return requests for comment on the ruling.

The attorneys labeled Baldoni’s lawsuit a “sham.” ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Blake Lively’s attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, described the judge’s ruling as a "total victory and a complete vindication" in a statement they shared with Page Six.

They plan to seek attorney fees and damages from the actor as the “next round” of their legal battle. Corey Sipkin for New York Post

In their statement, they said, "As we have said from day one, this '$400 million' lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it."

The team also mentioned they are "looking forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys' fees, treble damages and punitive damages" as a result of what they called "abusive litigation."

Lively and Baldoni’s movie, “It Ends With Us,” premiered in August 2024. ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Tension between Lively and Baldoni started gaining attention when their film project adapted from Colleen Hoover’s popular novel—premiered back in August 2024.

She filed a sexual harassment complaint against her co-star four months later. Nancy Rivera / SplashNews.com

Not long after filing her original complaint, Lively escalated matters by filing a lawsuit against the "Jane the Virgin" star. Her claims included allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, emotional distress, privacy invasion, breach of contract, and financial damages tied to lost income.

Baldoni, who is married to actress Emily Baldoni and is a father of two, has consistently denied all of the accusations.

She sued the “Jane the Virgin” alum in December 2024. GC Images

Last week, concerns began to surface that Baldoni’s legal action might not hold up. His case was built heavily around a message from journalist James Vituscka, who claimed that Lively’s publicist had said the "Gossip Girl" actress was "sexually assaulted" by Baldoni. But Vituscka has since walked back those claims.

In a new legal declaration submitted Friday, Vituscka clarified, "I meant to say, 'sexually harassed'." and added, "I regret this error."

Baldoni, who countersued in January, has continued to deny any wrongdoing. Gregory Pace/Shutterstock