Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Move to Dismiss Justin Baldoni’s Lawsuit
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are taking legal action to shut down Justin Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit, filing a notice to dismiss the case.
The high-profile legal battle stems from Lively’s allegations that Baldoni sexually harassed her on the set of It Ends With Us and then launched a smear campaign in retaliation when she spoke up. Baldoni, who also directed the film, claims Lively misrepresented their interactions and that she and Reynolds pressured WME to drop him as a client.
What’s Happening in Court?
Attorneys for both sides are set to appear in federal court on Monday, where the judge will hear arguments regarding Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, and his public comments about the case. Lively’s legal team argues that Freedman’s statements are prejudicing the jury pool, while Freedman insists he is simply defending his client.
Additionally, Baldoni’s attorneys have requested to depose Lively immediately, but her team is pushing back, claiming that Freedman should not be the one to conduct the deposition due to unspecified past statements.
The Motion to Dismiss
On Thursday, Lively and Reynolds’ attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, formally notified the court of their intent to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit. Publicist Leslie Sloane, who was also named as a defendant in Baldoni’s suit, filed a similar notice on Wednesday.
The judge, Lewis Liman, has yet to set a deadline for the dismissal motion but has indicated that a trial date will likely be scheduled for March 2026.
What Both Sides Are Saying
- Lively’s Allegations: Baldoni sexually harassed her during filming and attempted to ruin her reputation when she spoke out.
- Baldoni’s Defense: Lively allegedly took text messages out of context to misrepresent their interactions and used her influence to harm his career.
- WME’s Response: The talent agency denies being pressured to drop Baldoni.
What’s Next?
- Monday’s hearing will determine whether Freedman’s conduct is influencing public perception of the case.
- The court will review the motion to dismiss, which could significantly alter the course of the legal battle.
- If the case proceeds, both parties must submit a plan to stay on track for a 2026 trial date.
This legal feud is just getting started, and with high-profile names involved, it’s bound to dominate entertainment headlines in the coming months.
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