Court Dismisses Justin Baldoni’s Suit Against Blake Lively for Deadline Lapse

In a significant legal development, a court has dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively due to missed deadlines. The case centered around claims of civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy following a tumultuous legal feud between the two actors.

Background of the Legal Dispute

Baldoni and Lively, who co-starred in the 2024 film “It Ends With Us,” have been embroiled in a series of lawsuits since December last year. Lively initiated the conflict by accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her.

• December 2022: Lively files a lawsuit against Baldoni.
• June 2023: Baldoni’s claims are dismissed by Judge Lewis Liman.
• October 17, 2023: Deadline passed for Baldoni to amend his complaint.

Latest Court Ruling

The judge, Lewis Liman, highlighted that Baldoni had the opportunity to submit an amended complaint but failed to do so. His prior lawsuit was dismissed in June, marking a significant legal defeat. Lively’s legal team considered the outcome a total victory, while Baldoni’s representation expressed that the dismissal was not a complete loss, asserting that they still had grounds to contest certain claims.

Key Points from the Judge’s Findings

Judge Liman’s ruling emphasized a few critical aspects:

• Baldoni’s accusations that Lively “stole the film” were not substantiated legally.
• The court deemed Lively’s actions as permissible negotiation rather than extortion.
• The claims of defamation lacked adequate support as the statements made by Lively were considered privileged.
• The lawsuit against The New York Times was also dismissed, indicating that the publication acted without malice.

Continuing Legal Battles

Despite the dismissal of Baldoni’s suit, the dispute is far from over. Lively’s original lawsuit against Baldoni is still in progress. Following the recent developments, the case continues to attract public and media attention, given the high-profile nature of the actors involved.

Both parties have not provided any public comment regarding the latest ruling, leaving many speculating about the potential next steps in this ongoing legal saga. As the situation unfolds, the entertainment world watches closely, aware of the implications these legal disputes can have on their careers.