A judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit brought by actor and director Justin Baldoni against co-star Blake Lively, stating, “it's over with us,” after he accused her of sexual harassment and retaliation.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman marks the latest twist in a contentious legal dispute surrounding a dark romantic drama, which saw Baldoni’s involvement intensify in late December.
Baldoni and production company Wayfarer Studios rebutted in January, seeking $400 million, as he accused Lively’s husband, “Deadpool” star Ryan Reynolds, of complicity and misconduct.
A New York judge has determined that Baldoni cannot continue with his claims of defamation and harm, ruling that the allegations in the lawsuit are not protected under defamation law. Liman also decided that Baldoni’s assertion that it negatively impacted the film’s creative control was not valid under California law.
Lively faced accusations in a lawsuit alleging she threatened to withhold promotion for the film, but Wayfarer “does not claim that Lively has any obligation to promote the film or approve marketing materials,” Judge Liman noted.
Baldoni’s legal representatives can modify their case if they wish to pursue different claims regarding whether Lively violated the contract, the judge indicated.
“It’s finished with us,” the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 bestsellers, begins as a romance but took a dark turn addressing domestic violence upon its August release. International box office predictions estimate a debut of $50 million. However, the film’s launch was clouded by rumors of tension between Lively and Baldoni.
The judge also dismissed Baldoni’s defamation and loss lawsuit against The New York Times, which had reported on Lively’s sexual harassment allegations.
“Today’s ruling represents a complete victory for Blake Lively, exposing Baldoni and the Wayfarer entity as engaging in retaliatory lawsuits, including against Ryan Reynolds,” the lawyer stated.
The attorney mentioned he “looks forward to the next round,” in pursuit of legal fees, high damages, and punitive damages.
A spokesperson for The New York Times stated: “We appreciate the court for recognizing this lawsuit as a baseless attempt to curtail honest journalism.”
“Our journalists acted diligently on a story of significant national importance. The courts understood that the law is intended to protect such journalism,” said Charlie Statlander in an email.
The Associated Press reached out via email to Baldoni’s attorneys for comment.
The 2005 film “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and the 2007-2012 series “Gossip Girl” featured Lively, along with films like “The Town” and “The Shallows.”
Baldoni starred in the TV comedy “Virgin Jane,” directed the 2019 film “The Five Foot Apart,” and authored “Man Low,” which challenges conventional notions of masculinity.
Source: apnews.com