Entertainment03 November, 20252 min read
Judge Dismisses Justin Baldoni’s $400 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Blake Lively After He Misses Deadline
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively in January 2025. The lawsuit was dismissed by a federal judge in Manhattan after Baldoni missed a court deadline.
7 outlets told this the same way.
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Legal Dispute Between Actors
A federal judge in Manhattan has dismissed actor Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively. The dismissal occurred after Baldoni missed a court deadline to amend his complaint. The lawsuit was originally filed in January 2025.
“Actor Justin Baldoni's $400 million defamation lawsuit against co-star Blake Lively has been officially dismissed by a federal judge in Manhattan.”
It was brought in response to Lively’s December 2024 sexual harassment lawsuit related to their work on It Ends With Us. The dismissal hinges on Baldoni’s failure to meet the amendment deadline. Media outlets across regions describe this as the latest development in an ongoing legal dispute between the two actors.
Case Dismissal and Deadlines
Coverage differs on the exact timing and terminology of the case dismissal. The suit was first dismissed in June with leave to amend. Baldoni then missed an October deadline, prompting the formal closure of the case.
The Express Tribune specifies an October 17 amendment deadline and names Judge Lewis Liman. UNILAD cites an October 31 ruling and spells the judge’s name as "Lewis Linman." ABC broadly notes a missed October deadline after the initial June dismissal.
Geo TV emphasizes that the court allowed amendments which Baldoni did not file. This aligns with the procedural basis for dismissal reported across various outlets.
Legal Outcomes of Baldoni's Claims
Reports vary on the scope and legal assessment of Baldoni’s claims. Geo TV and UNILAD note he targeted not only Lively but also Ryan Reynolds and The New York Times. Geo TV adds that he accused them of civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy.
“Baldoni responded with a countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and The New York Times, alleging civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy.”
UNILAD reports the judge found the defamation case lacked merit partly because the New York Times article was protected by free speech and reporting privileges. India Today similarly states the court ruled the challenged statements were legally protected. The Express Tribune adds that Baldoni’s other legal actions, such as a libel suit against the Times and a countersuit against Lively and Ryan Reynolds, were also dismissed.
Lively's Harassment Lawsuit Update
Lively’s original sexual harassment lawsuit remains active. The lawsuit originated in December 2024 and relates to conduct on the set of It Ends With Us. India Today reports that Lively’s filing includes detailed on‑set misconduct allegations.
UNILAD and ABC both state that her case continues in federal court as the broader dispute carries on. The Express Tribune adds a specific schedule update, reporting a March 9, 2026 trial date to address Lively’s harassment allegations.
Legal Fee Disputes and Appeals
There is disagreement about the status of legal fees and appeals. The Express Tribune and India Today report that Baldoni may appeal after motions regarding legal fee reimbursements are resolved. Geo TV notes that Lively’s request for fees is still active.
“Baldoni may still appeal the dismissal after motions concerning legal fee reimbursements are resolved.”
In contrast, UNILAD states that the judge approved Lively’s request to recover legal fees. All sources agree that Baldoni retains the right to appeal once fee issues are settled. They also agree that Lively’s underlying harassment case is ongoing.
