Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have settled their legal dispute related to the 2024 film It Ends With Us, bringing an end to more than a year of litigation.
The agreement was reached just weeks before a federal trial was scheduled to begin, following a prolonged legal battle that played out both in court and in the public sphere.
Lively had accused Baldoni, her co-star and director, of sexual harassment during the production of the film. She also alleged that after raising concerns, he and his representatives engaged in a retaliatory digital smear campaign.
In a joint statement, both parties addressed the resolution and their intention to move forward.
“The end product – the movie ‘It Ends With Us’ – is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors – is a goal that we stand behind. We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”
The settlement follows a key court decision in which Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims, including all harassment-related allegations. The remaining claim, including retaliation and breach of contract, was set to proceed to trial.
At the time, Lively’s attorney, Sigrid McCawley, suggested the case had already achieved significant impact.
“For Blake Lively, the greatest measure of justice is that the people and the playbook behind these coordinated digital attacks have been exposed and are already being held accountable by other women they’ve targeted,” she said.
Lively also addressed the situation publicly, writing, “The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit, but I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others.”
“I hope the Court’s decision shows others that, as unfathomably painful as it is, you can speak up.”
The legal dispute began in December 2024 when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. Around the same time, internal communications from Baldoni’s publicists were reported to have discussed strategies for responding to the allegations.
Baldoni later filed a defamation lawsuit, accusing Lively of damaging his reputation with false claims. He also pursued legal action against The New York Times, though those claims were dismissed early in the proceedings.
Over time, much of Lively’s case was also dismissed, largely on procedural grounds. Court findings determined that she was working as an independent contractor, which limited her ability to pursue certain claims under federal law.
The settlement now brings the dispute to a close, ending a high-profile legal conflict tied to It Ends With Us.
Source: Variety