Justin Baldoni has filed a $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation, and other misconduct following Lively’s earlier allegations of sexual harassment. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims Lively and Reynolds attempted to smear Baldoni’s reputation after disputes arose during the production of the film It Ends With Us. Baldoni asserts that the claims against him are unfounded and have caused significant personal and professional damage.
According to court documents, Baldoni alleges that Lively falsely accused him of harassment to repair her own public image, which had been tarnished by unrelated controversies. The lawsuit also accuses the couple of pressuring Baldoni and his studio, Wayfarer, to release a statement exonerating Lively of her own alleged wrongdoings, an action Baldoni’s team refused. Reynolds’ involvement in the legal action stems from his alleged participation in this campaign.
Lively’s legal team maintains that her allegations are supported by “concrete facts,” accusing Baldoni and his associates of retaliatory tactics and astroturfing against her efforts to address concerns about on-set behavior. They claim Lively’s actions were aimed at protecting herself and others involved in the production. Lively has also accused Baldoni of creating a hostile work environment and deliberately targeting her in public and legal forums.
This legal feud has drawn widespread attention, with both parties presenting competing narratives. Baldoni’s team insists they possess unaltered evidence, including text messages and emails, disproving Lively’s claims, while Lively’s representatives vow to prove their case in court. Neither Lively nor Reynolds has publicly commented on Baldoni’s lawsuit as of now.
