A federal judge has dismissed filmmaker Justin Baldoni’s high-profile $400 million countersuit against actors Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, along with a separate $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times.

The decision, delivered by Judge Lewis J. Liman on Monday, marks a significant legal win for Lively, Reynolds, and others who were accused by Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, of defamation and extortion. Baldoni’s team had alleged that the defendants damaged his reputation in the wake of sexual misconduct claims — claims he has denied.

However, the court ruled that the accusations in Baldoni’s lawsuits didn’t meet the legal standard for defamation or other claims. Judge Liman noted that Blake Lively’s public complaint was protected under legal privilege, and that there was no evidence that Reynolds, Lively’s publicist Leslie Sloane, or The New York Times had acted with “actual malice” — a key requirement in defamation cases involving public figures.

“The Wayfarer Parties’ additional claims also fail,” Judge Liman wrote, dismissing the amended complaint “in its entirety.” The judge did, however, allow Baldoni’s legal team the option to revise and refile two of their claims — related to breach of implied contract and interference with business deals — by June 23.

Attorneys for Baldoni have not publicly responded to the ruling.

Meanwhile, Lively’s lawyers hailed the ruling as a “total victory” and said the original suit was “a sham.” In a statement, they accused Baldoni of weaponizing the courts in retaliation, and revealed they are now pursuing legal fees and potential punitive damages against him and the Wayfarer Parties.

“From day one, this lawsuit was baseless,” said attorneys Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb. “The court has now confirmed what we knew all along.”

Sigrid McCawley, who represents publicist Leslie Sloane, echoed the sentiment, saying her client was unfairly targeted. “The court’s decision makes clear that Sloane did nothing wrong. She stands fully vindicated.”

The New York Times also stood by its reporting, which centered around Lively’s complaint filed in late 2024. The newspaper said its coverage was done with care and accuracy. Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation — allegations he denies. Her legal team has called his countersuit "vengeful" and "without merit."

While Lively recently withdrew two emotional distress claims from her own case — a move her attorneys described as standard litigation strategy — the broader legal battle continues. The trial, where both Lively and Baldoni are expected to testify, is scheduled for March 2026.

Back in March, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, had harsh words for the legal efforts to dismiss the countersuit. He accused Lively of trying to escape accountability and criticized what he described as abuse of the legal system by “privileged elites.”

With the dismissal now official, the focus turns to the next phase of the case — and whether Baldoni’s team will continue their legal fight or revise their claims.


By WafricNews Desk.