Justin Baldoni’s $400 Million Lawsuit Against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Dismissed by Court

Director and actor Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds is officially over. A US district court dismissed the case after Baldoni missed a critical filing deadline. The ruling brings a major development in the high-profile Hollywood legal dispute.

The lawsuit was formally closed on October 31. This marks the latest legal setback for Baldoni in his case against the celebrity couple.

Court Formally Closes the Case

According to a report by Complex, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman confirmed the dismissal. The judge noted that Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios, failed to respond to a court order. The order, issued on October 17, asked why a final judgment should not be entered.

This failure to meet the court’s deadline ended the case. The court had previously thrown out Baldoni’s complaint back in June 2025. Judge Liman had determined then that the defamation allegations lacked legal merit.

The Background of the Legal Battle

Justin Baldoni initially filed the massive lawsuit in January 2025. He described it as a “counterattack” in the ongoing feud. The move came just one month after Blake Lively sued him and his production company.

Lively’s lawsuit accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation. The allegations were related to the set of their film It Ends With Us, which Baldoni directed and co-starred in. Her filing described what she called “disturbing” on-set behavior.

The legal battle began making headlines in December 2024. It has since become one of Hollywood’s most contentious public disputes. While this decision ends Baldoni’s claims, Lively’s separate case against him continues.

This court decision ends Justin Baldoni’s defamation and extortion claims, but the wider legal saga is not yet over. The dismissal of the $400 million lawsuit represents a significant victory for Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in this high-stakes Hollywood conflict.

Info at your fingertips

Why was Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit dismissed?

The lawsuit was dismissed because Baldoni and his company missed a court deadline. They failed to respond to a judge’s order asking why the case should not be closed.

What was the lawsuit originally about?

Justin Baldoni sued for $400 million, claiming extortion and defamation. He filed it as a counterattack after Blake Lively first sued him for alleged sexual harassment.

What happens to Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni now?

Lively’s separate lawsuit against Baldoni is unaffected by this dismissal. Her case, which alleges sexual harassment, continues to move forward in the legal system.

Can Justin Baldoni appeal this dismissal?

Baldoni may still have the option to file an appeal. This could happen after the court addresses motions related to Lively’s request for legal fees.

What did the court say about the defamation claims?

The court found the defamation allegations lacked merit. It ruled that the statements cited in the suit were protected by litigation and journalistic privilege.