The ongoing legal dispute between Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken a major turn. A judge has recently dismissed the majority of the sexual harassment claims filed by Lively against her It Ends With Us co-star and director. This ruling by Judge Lewis Liman has narrowed the scope of the lawsuit just weeks before it is scheduled to go to trial. Lively originally filed 13 claims against Baldoni, but 10 of these have now been thrown out. The dismissed charges include key allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy. After this ruling, the case will proceed to trial focusing on only three remaining claims: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation.
The court’s decision to dismiss the sexual harassment claims was based on specific legal grounds. Judge Liman ruled that Lively could not pursue a federal sexual harassment claim because she was working as an independent contractor during the film’s production. Furthermore, California law, which was cited in her complaint, was found to be inapplicable since the filming actually took place in New Jersey.
While Lively had alleged that Baldoni made inappropriate comments about her appearance and weight while on set, the judge determined that the legal framework required to support those specific claims was not met under the presented circumstances. Despite the setback about the harassment allegations, other parts of the lawsuit remain active. The court has allowed claims involving retaliation to move forward. This includes allegations that Baldoni and his associates organized a campaign to damage Lively’s reputation.
Lively’s legal team maintains that the trial will now focus on efforts to discredit her after she raised concerns about workplace safety. These allegations, along with the breach of contract claim, are expected to be heard by a jury in May.
The friction between the two leads began during the production of the 2024 hit It Ends With Us. While the film was a global success, grossing USD 350 million, it was overshadowed by reports of tension on set. After a failed mediation attempt in February, the legal battle is now set for a definitive showdown in court next month.
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