Justin Baldoni’s $400M Lawsuit Against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Dismissed By Judge

In a major setback for actor-director Justin Baldoni, his $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times has officially been dismissed. The decision, made by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman on Monday, June 9, marks a turning point in the contentious case linked to Baldoni’s upcoming film It Ends With Us.

Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties had filed two major lawsuits – one alleging extortion and defamation against Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane, and the other accusing The New York Times of defamation. However, the judge tossed both claims, noting a lack of sufficient evidence and legal merit.

According to court documents reviewed by PEOPLE, Judge Liman wrote, “The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her CRD complaint, which are privileged.”

The order further explained that while Baldoni’s team accused Reynolds, Sloane, and The Times of making defamatory statements, they failed to prove the defendants had serious doubts about the truth of their claims. “The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Reynolds, Sloane or the Times would have seriously doubted these statements were true… as required for defamation,” the filing stated.

The judge dismissed the amended complaint in its entirety but allowed Baldoni’s team the option to amend specific claims – namely breach of implied covenant and tortious interference — by June 23.

Attorneys for Baldoni are yet to comment on the ruling.

Meanwhile, Lively’s legal representatives Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a sweeping victory. “This ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it,” they said in a statement. “We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages from the Wayfarer parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.”

Leslie Sloane’s attorney, Sigrid McCawley, also weighed in, underscoring how the lawsuit attempted to tarnish Sloane’s reputation. “Leslie Sloane has consistently said that she never defamed Baldoni or the Wayfarer Parties… Today’s decision by the Court makes clear that Sloane did nothing wrong. Sloane stands fully vindicated, and justice has been served.”