A federal judge has dismissed two high-profile lawsuits filed by actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni. The cases involved serious claims of defamation and extortion. Baldoni had sued Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times. His $400 million countersuit and $250 million defamation case are now both thrown out. The ruling was made by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman on June 9, 2025. This decision marks a major legal win for the celebrity couple and the media outlet.
Judge Rejects $400 Million Countersuit and $250 Million Defamation Case
Justin Baldoni’s legal action began after Blake Lively accused him of sexual harassment during the making of the film It Ends With Us. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit. He accused Lively and Reynolds of defamation, and said their publicist, Leslie Sloane, helped spread harmful claims. He also accused them of trying to ruin his name in the industry through false and damaging statements.
In a separate move, Baldoni also filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times. He claimed the paper joined in what he called a “smear campaign.” He said the article they published in December 2024 acted like a megaphone for Lively’s story and helped ruin his reputation.
But the judge saw it differently. In a 132-page ruling, Judge Liman dismissed both cases. He said Baldoni had failed to provide enough proof to support any of his claims. The judge explained that the statements in Lively’s legal complaint were protected by law, even if they harmed Baldoni’s image.
Legal Protections and Media Coverage
The judge made it clear that The New York Times was not responsible for defamation. He wrote that the newspaper had reviewed all available evidence before publishing its article. Even if the story favored Lively’s side, the judge said that did not make the reporting false or unlawful. He also explained that defamation law requires more than just disagreement or emotional harm. For the case to move forward, Baldoni needed to prove that the people involved knew the information was false or seriously doubted its truth. He did not meet that standard.
As for the extortion claims, the judge said those did not fit the legal definition under California law. The court found no evidence that the defendants tried to force Baldoni to give up anything through threats or pressure. The judge said even if the actions of Lively, Reynolds, or Sloane seemed harsh, they were not illegal under current rules.
One Small Option Remains
Although the judge dismissed the lawsuits completely, he left a small window open. Baldoni has been given the chance to amend and resubmit a few narrow claims by June 23. These include issues related to alleged contract interference and breach of duty. Specifically, Baldoni says Reynolds called him a “sexual predator” at a Hollywood event. Baldoni believes this comment caused his talent agency to drop him as a client.
However, even this limited chance to revise part of the case is not a guarantee. Baldoni will need strong new evidence to make the court reconsider.
The Larger Legal Fight Isn’t Over
Even though Baldoni’s lawsuits are now dismissed, the larger court fight is still active. Blake Lively’s original lawsuit against Baldoni is moving ahead. That case is set to go to trial in March 2026. While Lively dropped two of her claims recently—both related to emotional distress—her legal team said that was a normal part of legal strategy.
This case has become one of the most talked-about legal battles in the film world. It started with serious claims made during the filming of It Ends With Us and has turned into a multi-layered legal dispute involving major stars, high-dollar claims, and media attention.
With Baldoni’s lawsuits now out of the way, attention will likely shift back to Lively’s trial. For now, the court’s decision to throw out Baldoni’s defamation and extortion claims has set the tone for what’s next in this heated legal battle.
