A federal judge has thrown out Blake Lively’s sexual harassment allegations in her legal battle against actor and director Justin Baldoni, significantly narrowing her claims related to their 2024 romantic film “It Ends With Us.”
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman’s 152-page ruling on Thursday concluded a prolonged period of contentious legal proceedings surrounding the movie, where Lively and Baldoni shared the screen under Baldoni’s direction.
During a court session in January, Lively’s attorney Esra Hudson contended that Baldoni had repeatedly overstepped boundaries, such as veering off the script to include unnecessary sexual elements.
Hudson cited instances like a dance scene where Baldoni “nuzzled” Lively without her consent and a birth scene where Lively felt pressured to wear minimal clothing and simulate nudity.
Judge Liman indicated that Baldoni’s alleged actions seemed to be aimed at Lively’s character in the scenes rather than at Lively herself.
The judge emphasized that creative individuals, including filmmakers, must have room to experiment within the confines of an agreed-upon script without facing sexual harassment claims.
Liman stated that Lively still has the opportunity to persuade jurors that Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, retaliated against her following her complaints about misconduct on the film set.
The case is set to proceed to trial on May 18.
Lively will not have her sexual harassment claims adjudicated by the jury, but some mistreatment allegations may surface as she pursues her retaliation argument.
Her lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, expressed Lively’s eagerness to testify and showcase the efforts made to tarnish her reputation for advocating set safety.
Baldoni’s legal team expressed satisfaction with the dismissal of the sexual harassment claims against him and other defendants, including Wayfarer’s CEO Jamey Heath, all of whom have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Remaining claims involve retaliation and breach of contract against Wayfarer Studios and the film development company, as well as a claim against the crisis PR agency retained by Wayfarer, The Agency Group PR.
Lively initiated legal action against Baldoni in 2024, seeking unspecified damages for alleged harassment, defamation, privacy invasion, and violations of civil rights laws at both federal and state levels.
The case has attracted significant attention within the entertainment industry, with notable figures like Taylor Swift, Gigi Hadid, and Hugh Jackman potentially offering supporting information for Lively’s claims.
The public dispute between Lively and Baldoni became apparent in December 2024, culminating in Lively filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department and subsequently launching a lawsuit.
“It Ends With Us,” featuring Lively as a flower shop owner who weds a neurosurgeon portrayed by Baldoni, unfolds a narrative of abuse and failed relationships, ultimately earning over $351 million globally despite receiving mixed reviews.