Justin Baldoni Drops $400 M Suit Against Blake Lively, Vows to “Prevail” Against Allegations

A Strategic Retreat

June 26, 2025: Justin Baldoni, the actor-director behind It Ends with Us, has made a surprising legal pivot: he’s chosen not to refile his proposed $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. The lawsuit, initially filed in January, included claims of defamation, extortion, and misconduct. Although a judge allowed him a window to amend and continue the case, the deadline passed with no new filing.

Standing Firm Despite Withdrawal

Baldoni’s legal team emphasized that their decision to drop the countersuit doesn’t signal a retreat—they’re redirecting their approach. They stated:

“Discovery is proceeding and we are confident that we will prevail against these factually baseless accusations.”

They clarified that while they won’t refile the same claims, they will pursue alternative legal options available to defend Baldoni’s reputation.

Ongoing Legal Drama

This shift comes after significant courtroom developments:

A federal judge dismissed Baldoni’s defamation and extortion claims, though granted limited leave to file a narrower contract-based complaint.

The dismissal has been hailed by Lively’s team as a total victory, labeling the defamation suit as frivolous.

Meanwhile, Baldoni secured a win in accessing private communications between Lively and Taylor Swift, which could play a key role in the discovery phase.

Baldoni also continues a separate defamation suit against The New York Times for $250 million, centered on their coverage of Lively’s original harassment accusations.

What Lies Ahead

Discovery continues. Baldoni’s team aims to gather evidence to dispute the allegations and bolster his defense.

Lively’s original case proceeds. Her suit, alleging harassment and retaliation, remains active with trial set for March 2026.

Alternative legal strategies. Rather than relitigating dismissed claims, Baldoni may pursue new or modified legal avenues in the coming months.

Bottom Line

Baldoni’s decision to forgo refiling his massive countersuit signals a shift in strategy—not an admission of defeat. As the discovery phase unfolds and the original lawsuit heads toward trial, both sides appear to be gearing up for a prolonged legal showdown. Expect more courtroom drama, potentially framed around fresh legal tactics and deeper examination of facts behind the accusations.