A federal judge has dismissed 10 of the 13 complaints filed by actress Blake Lively against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. The ruling came after 16 months of legal battles surrounding the $161 million film.
Background of the Dispute
Lively, 38, initiated the lawsuit accusing Baldoni, 42, of sexual harassment. Baldoni responded with a $400 million countersuit, which a court dismissed in June. The ongoing case centers on allegations of retaliation and contract breaches by Baldoni’s production company and the studio.
Reasons for Dismissal
Judge Lewis Liman cited a June 2024 letter Lively sent to the Producers Guild of America, in which she claimed to have “produced every moment of this film.” The judge ruled that this statement positions Lively as a producer rather than an employee under Baldoni, disqualifying her sexual harassment claims under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Additionally, Liman noted that Baldoni’s alleged actions occurred during filming. “Creative artists, no less than comedy room writers, must have some amount of space to experiment within the bounds of an agreed script without fear of being held liable for sexual harassment,” the judge wrote.
Lively’s Response
Despite the partial dismissal, Lively remains committed to the case. In an Instagram post on Friday, she stated, “I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others.” A court date is scheduled for May to address the remaining claims of contract breaches and a media retaliation campaign.
Revelations from Private Messages
During the proceedings, Baldoni’s legal team accessed private messages from Lively. These exchanges reportedly showed her referring to herself as Daenerys Targaryen, the “Mother of Dragons” from Game of Thrones, and to singer Taylor Swift as one of her “dragons.” Sources indicate this contributed to tensions, with Swift feeling exploited, potentially straining their friendship.
