Justin Baldoni’s lawyers recently revealed that Blake Lively made a surprising move in her legal fight with her It Ends with Us co-star.
The actress filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, claiming he caused her "emotional distress" during the filming of their 2024 movie. According to Baldoni’s attorney, though, Lively has requested to withdraw the allegations.
Did Blake Lively Drop One of Her Legal Lawsuits Against Justin Baldoni?
Blake Lively is reportedly withdrawing one of her claims against Justin Baldoni, according to court documents obtained by Page Six.
The Another Simple Favor star filed lawsuits in December, citing "severe pain, humiliation, embarrassment, belittlement, frustration, and mental anguish" caused by the director while they were filming the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends with Us.
The filing referenced a "hands-on" meeting involving Lively, Baldoni, and his production team, during which the 41-year-old allegedly discussed his past porn addiction and reportedly showed her "nude videos or images of women."
When Baldoni’s team requested Lively’s medical and mental health records, stating these were essential for the “emotional distress” claims, however, they asserted that she is now attempting to drop the allegations.
"Instead of complying with the Medical RFPs, Ms. Lively’s counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her [infliction of emotional distress] claims," Baldoni’s lawyers stated in a filing, as quoted by Page Six.
The Jane the Virgin star’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, said that the Gossip Girl alum wanted the allegations dismissed but hoped to refile them in the future, something Baldoni’s lawyers opposed.
"Ms. Lively cannot have it both ways." Baldoni’s legal team stated.
What Did Blake Lively Say About Claims of Her Dropping the Emotional Distress Lawsuit?
On Lively’s side, they firmly deny that the 37-year-old is seeking to withdraw the "emotional distress" claims against Baldoni.
Her attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, accused Baldoni’s team of using "a routine part of the litigation process" for yet another "press stunt," per their statement to TMZ.
"We are doing what trial lawyers do: preparing our case for trial by streamlining and focusing it; they are doing what they do: desperately seeking another tired round of tabloid coverage," The Age of Adaline star’s lawyers said.
They stated that Lively is not withdrawing her "intentional infliction of emotional distress" and "negligent infliction of emotional distress" claims, and that includes her other formal lawsuits against Baldoni, such as the sexual harassment allegation and the claim that he attempted to damage her reputation through a PR campaign.
Baldoni then hit back with a defamation suit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times for publishing an article about the actress's accusations.
His team is seeking $400 million for the alleged damage to his and his company Wayfarer Studios’ public image.
Lively and Baldoni’s legal feud is scheduled to go to trial on March 9, 2026.
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