Actor and director Justin Baldoni has announced his intention to persist in his legal battle against his “It Ends With Us” co-star Blake Lively, despite a recent court ruling that dismissed his substantial $400 million defamation lawsuit against her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. The situation has drawn considerable media attention, particularly due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the serious allegations in the case.
Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, expressed his dissatisfaction with the court's decision in a statement to Variety. Freedman clarified that while the court dismissed several defamation claims, it also permitted Baldoni to amend four of the seven allegations against Lively. This amendment will allow Baldoni to present additional evidence and refine his allegations as he seeks to address what he describes as false accusations of sexual harassment and an alleged smear campaign.
Freedman emphasized the importance of the case, stating, “This case is about false accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation and a nonexistent smear campaign, which Ms. Lively’s own team conveniently describes as ‘untraceable’ because they cannot prove what never happened.” He further asserted, “Most importantly, Ms. Lively’s own claims are no truer today than they were yesterday, and with the facts on our side, we march forward with the same confidence that we had when Ms. Lively and her cohorts initiated this battle.” Freedman is particularly looking forward to Lively’s deposition, which he will be taking as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
On the other side of the legal landscape, Lively's legal representatives responded to the dismissal of Baldoni's lawsuit, labeling it a “sham.” They noted, “As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the court saw right through it.” They are now looking forward to pursuing their own legal claims against Baldoni, including requests for attorneys’ fees, treble damages, and punitive damages in response to what they describe as abusive litigation tactics.
Baldoni's legal team expressed gratitude for the public support they have received throughout this challenging process. They acknowledged the contributions of the online community and internet sleuths who have been actively following the case, ensuring that it remains in the public eye and covered with discernment and integrity.
As this legal battle unfolds, all eyes will remain on the courtroom, where the implications of this high-profile case may set precedents for future defamation claims, as well as the way public figures handle accusations in the age of social media.
