A federal judge has rejected Blake Lively’s sexual harassment allegations in her legal battle against actor and director Justin Baldoni, narrowing her case concerning their 2024 romantic film “It Ends With Us.” U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman’s extensive ruling on Thursday concluded a prolonged period of contentious legal proceedings over the movie, where Lively and Baldoni were co-stars, with Baldoni also serving as the director.
During a court session in January, Lively’s attorney, Esra Hudson, contended that Baldoni had repeatedly crossed boundaries by introducing unnecessary sexual content not originally scripted. Hudson claimed instances such as a dance sequence where Baldoni allegedly “nuzzled” Lively without her consent and a scene where Lively’s character, during a childbirth scene, was pressured to wear minimal clothing and simulate nudity.
Judge Liman noted that the alleged misconduct by Baldoni seemed to be aimed at Lively’s character in the film rather than Lively herself. He emphasized that creative professionals, including directors, require space to experiment within script boundaries without the threat of facing sexual harassment claims.
Liman indicated that Lively still has the opportunity to persuade jurors that Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, retaliated against her following her complaints about on-set misconduct. The trial for these remaining issues is set for May 18.
While the ruling means the dismissal of Lively’s sexual harassment claims, the case will proceed with a focus on potential retaliation against her. Lively’s lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, expressed her client’s readiness to testify and expose attempts to tarnish her reputation due to her stance on set safety.
Baldoni’s legal team welcomed the dismissal of the sexual harassment accusations and reiterated their commitment to presenting their defense against the narrowed claims of retaliation and breach of contract. The lawsuit also involves Wayfarer Studios and other entities associated with the film’s development.
Lively’s legal battle against Baldoni has attracted significant attention in Hollywood, with notable figures like Taylor Swift, Gigi Hadid, and Hugh Jackman potentially offering supportive information. The case, initiated by Lively in 2024, alleges harassment, defamation, invasion of privacy, and civil rights violations.
The dispute between Lively and Baldoni surfaced publicly in 2024, leading to a chain of legal actions and public accusations. Despite the legal complexities, their film “It Ends With Us” garnered commercial success, grossing over $351 million globally, as reported by Box Office Mojo.
