Blake Lively has formally requested a US judge to dismiss Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit, describing it as a “vengeful” effort to punish her for speaking out about alleged sexual harassment. According to Reuters, Lively’s legal team argued in a Manhattan federal court filing that the lawsuit is part of a "sinister campaign to bury and destroy" her for making these accusations. They emphasized that laws against defamation are designed to protect people from being silenced when speaking about harassment, positioning Baldoni’s case as an abuse of the legal system.
Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, countersued not only Lively but also her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and The New York Times. He alleged that they orchestrated a coordinated smear campaign, accusing Lively of attempting to "hijack" a film they were collaborating on and shifting blame to him when her promotional efforts led to public backlash. Baldoni claimed the damage to his career was severe, hence the massive $400 million claim.
Lively’s attorneys countered that Baldoni has failed to demonstrate she acted with "actual malice" — a legal standard requiring proof that false statements were made knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth. They cited Baldoni’s own August 30, 2024, text messages, in which he reportedly admitted Lively "genuinely believes she’s right," suggesting she wasn’t deliberately spreading falsehoods. Her legal team, led by Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, further slammed the lawsuit as "a profound abuse of the legal process," claiming Baldoni’s attempt to "sue Ms. Lively into oblivion" has only created more legal complications for him.
Ryan Reynolds has also moved to dismiss the case, calling it a retaliation over "hurt feelings." Baldoni accused Reynolds of calling him a “predator” on two occasions, but Reynolds' lawyers argue his statements are constitutionally protected as free speech.
Meanwhile, The New York Times, which was sued for its December 2024 article covering the controversy, has defended its reporting, stating it acted independently and did not collaborate with Lively or her team to push any narrative. The newspaper maintains its journalistic integrity and denies any wrongdoing.
The legal battle is set to continue, with a trial scheduled for March 2026 — a date that promises to bring more attention to the already high-profile feud.
