A U.S. judge has thrown out sexual harassment claims filed by Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni, delivering a major twist in one of Hollywood’s most closely watched legal battles linked to It Ends With Us.
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U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Lively cannot pursue her harassment claims under federal law because she was working as an independent contractor — not an employee — during production of the 2024 film.
In his decision, Liman said Baldoni’s alleged actions — including adding intimate elements to scenes — were aimed at the fictional character rather than Lively personally. He stressed that filmmakers and actors must have “creative space” to interpret scripts without automatically facing legal liability.
Case narrowed — but not over
Despite dismissing the harassment claims, the court allowed Lively to move forward with allegations that Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, retaliated against her after she raised concerns about on-set conduct.
The judge noted that some behavior “arguably crossed the line,” including claims that Lively’s career may have been harmed through an alleged smear campaign.
Lively’s legal team said the actress is ready to testify and intends to show how her reputation was damaged “because she stood up for safety on set.”
Baldoni’s lawyers, meanwhile, welcomed the ruling, calling the case now “significantly narrowed” and expressing confidence ahead of trial.
Star-studded case draws attention
The dispute has captured widespread attention across the entertainment industry, with high-profile names including Taylor Swift, Gigi Hadid, and Hugh Jackman reportedly connected as potential witnesses.
Filed in December 2024, the lawsuit accused Baldoni and others of fostering a sexually charged environment during filming and attempting to silence complaints. Baldoni has denied all allegations, saying he addressed concerns appropriately.
The case is now set for trial on May 18, where jurors will focus on retaliation claims — ensuring the courtroom showdown between Lively and Baldoni is far from finished.
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