Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are seeking the dismissal of a $400 million lawsuit filed against them by Justin Baldoni, their co-star and director in the film “It Ends With Us.” Baldoni’s lawsuit, filed on January 16, 2025, in the Southern District of New York, accuses Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloan, of civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. He alleges that Lively attempted to take control of the film through demands and threats and, despite receiving many of her requests, accused him of orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni contends that this alleged campaign was fabricated by Lively to deflect blame for her own actions and to portray herself as a victim. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Ends_with_Us_controversy?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Legal experts have expressed skepticism about the substantial monetary figure in Baldoni’s lawsuit, suggesting it may be more of a strategic move to garner public attention rather than a realistic claim. They point out that such high-profile cases often involve inflated figures to make headlines, and the actual damages awarded, if any, are typically much lower. ([pagesix.com](https://pagesix.com/2025/01/28/celebrity-news/justin-baldonis-400m-lawsuit-is-4x-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-combined-net-worth-definitely-a-pr-play/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
In response to Baldoni’s lawsuit, Lively and Reynolds have filed motions to dismiss, arguing that the claims are baseless and constitute an abuse of the legal system. They assert that Baldoni’s allegations are unfounded and that his lawsuit is an attempt to retaliate against Lively for her previous sexual harassment complaint against him. Lively had earlier filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign in retaliation for her complaints about his on-set behavior. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Ends_with_Us_controversy?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The legal battle has garnered significant media attention, with both parties engaging in public and legal maneuvers to defend their reputations. A trial date has been set for March 9, 2026, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for February 3, 2025. Observers note that such high-profile cases often settle out of court before reaching trial, but as of now, both sides appear prepared to proceed with litigation. ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/01/28/entertainment/blake-lively-justin-baldonis-trial-date-set-for-march-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
As the case progresses, it continues to highlight the complexities of legal disputes in the entertainment industry, where personal relationships, professional reputations, and significant financial interests intersect.
– [pagesix.com](https://pagesix.com/2025/01/28/celebrity-news/justin-baldonis-400m-lawsuit-is-4x-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-combined-net-worth-definitely-a-pr-play/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– [nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/01/28/entertainment/blake-lively-justin-baldonis-trial-date-set-for-march-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
– [people.com](https://people.com/blake-lively-vs-justin-baldoni-legal-expert-answers-burning-questions-8781046?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
