In 2024, Green Lantern star Blake Lively sued It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment and a coordinated effort to "destroy" her reputation. In response, he countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, in a $400 million lawsuit claiming extortion and defamation.
That was ultimately thrown out last summer, but the civil case has continued to dominate headlines (in no small part because texts between Lively and singer Taylor Swift were soon made public). It's even been claimed that Deadpool & Wolverine's Nicepool was created with the intention of mocking Baldoni.
Any sexual misconduct allegations are serious. In Baldoni's case, it looked like, whatever the outcome of this civil trial, his career and reputation would be irreparably damaged. Well, there's been another big twist in this legal battle as a federal judge has just thrown out 10 of 13 allegations in Lively's case, including all those relating to sexual harassment.
The only three claims against Baldoni left are breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation. Those go to a civil trial in New York on May 18.
Given how the internet has taken sides in this legal dispute, neither Lively nor Baldoni's careers are likely to emerge unscathed. This is a huge blow to the former, though, and for all intents and purposes, Baldoni's name is now cleared in relation to those sexual misconduct claims.
A member of Lively's legal team, Sigrid McCawley, has said the case "has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy" the actress's reputation. She added that the sexual harassment claims were dropped, "not because the defendants did nothing wrong," but because of a technicality.
In Judge Liman's 152-page decision, he explained that the harassment claims Lively brought against Baldoni under California law did not hold up because filming, where the misconduct allegedly took place, was in New Jersey. The Town star's status as an independent contractor rather than an employee also made her ineligible to bring certain harassment and retaliation claims.
All eyes will be on this case when it's heard in court next month, and whether Baldoni can clear his name or Lively can still walk away the victor when the three remaining claims are heard.
Either way, an already messy situation is likely to get more chaotic when each side has its say in the courtroom...