Justin Baldoni has let the deadline pass to appeal a judge’s dismissal of his defamation lawsuits against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times, effectively ending that portion of their legal feud. However, Lively’s original complaint against Baldoni remains active, and she is now seeking payment of her attorneys’ fees from the prolonged battle.
The legal standoff between “It Ends With Us” co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively took a significant turn this week when Baldoni failed to file an appeal against the dismissal of his high-profile lawsuits. A federal judge in California had thrown out Baldoni’s $400 million defamation claim against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, as well as a $250 million suit against The New York Times, back in June 2025. The deadline for appealing that decision was October 31, 2025, and according to legal documents obtained by TMZ, no appeal was submitted by Baldoni or his legal team. This inaction effectively concedes defeat in this phase of the legal war, though the broader conflict persists.
This development marks a major setback for Baldoni, who had accused Lively and Reynolds of orchestrating a smear campaign against him. The actor and director alleged that the couple falsely labeled him a “sexual predator” and that The New York Times published a misleading article about the on-set drama of their film “It Ends With Us.” Baldoni claimed the article cherry-picked text messages and emails to portray him negatively, but the court found that the Times’ reporting was fair and based on Lively’s civil rights complaint. The judge emphasized that the media outlet relied responsibly on the allegations outlined in legal filings.
The judge’s ruling to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuits was grounded in the principle that statements made in a civil rights complaint are protected from defamation claims. Since Lively had included her allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation in such a complaint filed in December 2024, the court determined that she could not be held liable for those statements. Similarly, The New York Times was shielded because its story closely tracked the allegations in the complaint, and Ryan Reynolds’ comments were consistent with his wife’s claims. This legal protection underscores the importance of factual alignment in reporting on sensitive issues.
While Baldoni’s claims have been extinguished, the legal war is far from over. Blake Lively’s original complaint against Baldoni, which accuses him of sexual harassment and starting a smear campaign, is still pending in court. Moreover, Lively’s legal team has now moved to recover attorneys’ fees from Baldoni for the cost of defending against his now-dismissed lawsuits. This could add significant financial pressure to the already costly legal dispute, potentially amounting to substantial sums given the high-profile nature of the case.
The feud between Baldoni and Lively began in late 2024 when Lively first filed her complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. She alleged that Baldoni engaged in inappropriate behavior on the set of “It Ends With Us,” a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel in which they both starred. Baldoni has consistently denied these allegations, countering that Lively and Reynolds were attempting to extort him and damage his reputation. As reported by ABC News, the timeline of events shows a rapid escalation from initial accusations to cross-complaints and public statements.
Over the past year, the legal battle has expanded to include other figures, such as Taylor Swift, who was subpoenaed as a witness by Baldoni’s lawyer, though she did not agree to a deposition. The case has also seen various hearings and motions, including one where Lively’s lawyers accused Baldoni’s attorney of making misleading public statements. These developments have kept the saga in the spotlight, highlighting the complexities of celebrity disputes and the legal strategies employed by both sides.
With Baldoni’s appeal window closed, the focus now shifts to the remaining aspects of the case. Lively’s pursuit of attorneys’ fees could lead to further court proceedings, and her underlying complaint against Baldoni may proceed to trial if not settled. The outcome of these remaining issues will determine the final resolution of a legal drama that has captivated Hollywood and the public, serving as a cautionary tale about the repercussions of public feuds in the entertainment industry.