Blake Lively can recover her legal fees from her “It Ends With Us” co-star Justin Baldoni’s production company, but she is not entitled to additional damages for harm caused by her defamation claims, a federal judge ruled Friday.
U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni’s defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively last year, but she was allowed to move forward with a request for financial damages. under a #MeToo-era California law.
In Friday’s ruling, Liman wrote that the court “leaves the door open” for Lively to seek damages “through other means (such as an independent lawsuit or counterclaim), including in federal court.”
Representatives for Lively and Baldoni did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Animated and Baldoni resolved their years-long legal dispute early May. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. A source close to the matter previously confirmed to NBC News that no money changed hands.
The settlement paved the way for what promised to be a high-profile trial in New York.
Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during production of the 2024 film “It Ends With Us,” which he directed. Lively had also alleged that Baldoni’s company, Wayfarer Studios, retaliated against her after she complained about allegations of misconduct on the set of the film.
Baldoni vehemently denied Lively’s claims.
In January 2025, Baldoni sued Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, alleging defamation and extortion. He argued that Lively and Reynolds had tried to destroy her reputation and accused her of using her grievances as a way to “take control” of the film.
Baldoni also filed a defamation suit against the New York Times for an article titled: “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.” »
Liman I threw away both suits last year.