LOS ANGELES: It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni notched a legal victory this week after a U.S. judge denied actress Blake Lively’s attempt to preserve the option of refiling emotional distress claims against him in the future.
The development came after Lively voluntarily withdrew her emotional distress allegations in the ongoing lawsuit tied to the production of It Ends With Us. Her legal team had requested the court to allow the withdrawal “without prejudice” — a move that would have allowed her to bring the claims back at a later stage.
However, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman rejected that request, writing in his Tuesday order that the motion was “denied based on [Lively’s] representation that the relevant claims will be withdrawn.” The ruling effectively bars Lively from revisiting the emotional distress allegations against Baldoni in the future.
Lively’s attorneys stated that some of the claims were being dropped because “they are no longer necessary,” adding that she intends to continue seeking damages for emotional distress through other avenues within her lawsuit.
Baldoni’s legal team had opposed the attempt to drop the claim without prejudice, arguing that it would unfairly allow Lively to reintroduce the claim down the line. The judge ultimately sided with Baldoni, marking a legal win for the actor-director.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed by Lively last year, in which she accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign during the production of the film. In a countersuit, Baldoni accused Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, of attempting to destroy his reputation and derail his career.
The legal battle between the Hollywood heavyweights continues to unfold.
