In a recent ruling by a federal judge, Blake Lively is set to receive a little over $400,000 out of the $8 million she initially sought in legal fees from actor and director Justin Baldoni following the resolution of their dispute over their 2024 film, “It Ends With Us.”
Judge Lewis J. Liman detailed in a written decision in Manhattan the reasons behind Lively not being granted the full amount of legal costs she had requested, as Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios LLC, had filed their own claims in response to Lively’s lawsuit from December 2024.
Despite acknowledging the intense legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, the judge limited the reimbursement of legal fees due to a California law aimed at safeguarding survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination from retaliatory legal actions. The judge emphasized that Lively could only be reimbursed for expenses related to defending against defamation claims rather than all claims made by Baldoni.
Consequently, Lively is deemed eligible to receive $363,245 in attorneys’ fees and $44,206 in costs as ruled by the judge. Requests for comments from Baldoni and Lively’s representatives were pending responses.
Lively had alleged various offenses in her lawsuit, including sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. In response, Baldoni, who both directed and starred alongside Lively in the film, refuted the allegations of harassment or smear campaigns. He contended that Lively’s complaints were fabricated to gain control over the movie’s creative direction.
Following Lively’s lawsuit, Baldoni and Wayfarer initiated a countersuit against Lively and her spouse, actor Ryan Reynolds, alleging civil extortion, defamation, invasion of privacy, breach of good faith, and economic interference. However, in June 2025, the judge dismissed the countersuit, and nearly a year later, Lively’s sexual harassment claims were rejected on the basis that she was considered an independent contractor during her involvement in the film.
Before the scheduled trial, Lively and Baldoni settled in early May, expressing their commitment to fostering work environments free from misconduct and unproductive behaviors. Their film, “It Ends With Us,” based on Colleen Hoover’s novel depicting a deteriorating relationship leading to domestic violence, was released in August 2024, surpassing box office projections despite controversy over its portrayal of abuse. The discord between Lively and Baldoni overshadowed the film’s success, diverting attention away from its message.
Lively alleged that during filming, Baldoni made inappropriate remarks about her appearance, crossed physical boundaries during intimate scenes, and pushed for nudity against her wishes in a birthing scene. Baldoni maintained that his actions were within the bounds of the standard creative process in filmmaking.
Lively, known for her roles in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Gossip Girl,” and Baldoni, recognized for his work in “Jane the Virgin” and directing “Five Feet Apart,” ultimately resolved their legal dispute, aiming to move forward positively.
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