The ongoing legal confrontation between Blake Lively and her “It Ends With Us” co-star Justin Baldoni has taken a new twist, raising questions about whether Lively has retracted her lawsuit. Social media posts and various news sources have suggested that she may have pulled back on certain allegations, but her legal representatives have firmly denied this, reiterating their accusations against Baldoni. Here’s an update on this notable Hollywood case as of June 3, 2025.
Background of the Lawsuit
In December 2024, Blake Lively initiated a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and several others, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation during the filming of “It Ends With Us.” The film was a commercial success, grossing over $350 million worldwide, but was overshadowed by workplace conflict. Lively contends that Baldoni fostered a toxic work environment through inappropriate behavior, which included unwanted physical contact and comments about her appearance. Additionally, she claims Baldoni orchestrated a campaign to tarnish her reputation following her complaints, citing messages suggesting his public relations team sought to undermine her online.
In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit in January 2025 against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, alleging defamation, civil extortion, and invasion of privacy. His legal team contends that the harassment claims are exaggerated and part of an effort to shift attention from Lively’s own professional failures, such as the less-than-stellar launch of her Blake Brown Beauty line.
Did Lively Withdraw Her Lawsuit?
On June 3, 2025, various posts on X and reports from outlets like People magazine suggested that Lively might have dropped claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and an unspecified claim against Baldoni. Baldoni’s legal team asserted that this decision resulted from their presentation of evidence that allegedly contradicted Lively’s claims, including behind-the-scenes footage demonstrating professional conduct during romantic scenes. Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, characterized Lively’s adjustments as a weakening of her case, framing it as a victory for Baldoni’s team.
However, Lively’s lawyers swiftly countered, stating that the lawsuit itself remains unchanged. In a statement from her attorneys at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and Willkie Farr & Gallagher, they clarified that while some claims have been modified, the main allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, and defamation continue to stand. They accused Baldoni’s team of employing “victim-blaming” tactics and misrepresenting facts to the media. “This is not a retreat but a strategic adjustment to enhance our case,” the statement noted, asserting Lively’s eagerness to take her claims to court and highlighting that the amended complaint, filed in February 2025, contains additional evidence and witness accounts.
The Bigger Picture
This legal battle has garnered a great deal of attention, both for its prominence and its implications within Hollywood. Lively’s lawsuit underscores ongoing issues of workplace safety and retaliation, particularly for women speaking out against misconduct. Her accusations of a coordinated smear campaign resonate amid increasing discussions on power dynamics within the industry that can silence victims, receiving backing from figures like Amber Heard, who has reported similar experiences.
On the other hand, Baldoni’s countersuit prompts questions about the potential misuse of harassment allegations to resolve personal or creative disputes. His team has referred to Lively’s history of managing her projects—citing a 2022 Forbes interview where she acknowledged causing tensions by seeking “authorship”—as evidence that her charges might stem from professional disagreements rather than genuine misconduct. They have also pointed to an incident from the 2018 set of “A Simple Favor,” where Lively engaged in a suggestive improvised act, arguing that her actions contradict her claims about workplace boundaries.
What’s Next?
The trial is expected in March 2026, with both sides preparing for a lengthy legal struggle. Lively’s amended complaint, submitted on February 18, 2025, added a defamation claim against Baldoni and introduced testimonies from other female cast members who reportedly faced similar harassment. Simultaneously, Baldoni has broadened his legal actions by suing his former publicist Stephanie Jones for leaking texts pivotal to Lively’s case, and even briefly subpoenaing Taylor Swift before retracting the request in May 2025.
Public reactions on X are mixed, with some viewing Lively’s decision to amend claims as indicative of weakness, while others interpret it as a strategic move to focus on the strongest allegations. Regardless, this case continues to provoke debate