Judge Lewis J. Liman has dismissed the high-profile lawsuit filed by Justin Baldoni against Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times, marking a significant legal setback for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios as of Monday. This decision follows months of escalating legal battles and allegations, making the outcome pivotal for all the involved parties as
“Judge dismisses lawsuit against Ryan Reynolds and co-defendants”
becomes a key focal point in the dispute.
Court Sides With Defendants in Defamation Case
Judge Liman granted the dismissal of Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios’ $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, which was rooted in claims of extortion and defamation. The judge also dismissed the $250 million defamation suit Baldoni brought against The New York Times. In the decision, Liman focused on the lack of sufficient evidence tying Lively to any unprivileged or actionable statements and noted that Reynolds, Sloane, and The New York Times were not proven to have acted with reckless disregard for the truth required under defamation laws.
In his order, Liman stated,
“The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her CRD complaint, which are privileged.”
—Lewis J. Liman, Judge
Liman further explained,
“The Wayfarer Parties have alleged that Reynolds and Sloane made additional statements accusing Baldoni of sexual misconduct and that the Times made additional statements accusing the Wayfarer Parties of engaging in a smear campaign. But the Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Reynolds, Sloane or the Times would have seriously doubted these statements were true based on the information available to them, as is required for them to be liable for defamation under applicable law.”
—Lewis J. Liman, Judge
Judge Allows Potential for Amended Claims
The order also leaves open the opportunity for Baldoni and his legal team to file amended claims related to a breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract, granting them until June 23 to do so should they choose to continue the legal fight. So far, attorneys representing Baldoni have not responded to requests for comment regarding further action.
Backdrop of Legal Turmoil and Media Scrutiny
The legal battles erupted after The New York Times published a detailed report in December, including allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign made by Lively against Baldoni. Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have repeatedly denied these allegations. Lively subsequently filed a lawsuit, which is scheduled to go to trial in March 2026, while Baldoni countered by suing for defamation, extortion, and invasion of privacy.
The New York Times responded to the lawsuit by defending its reporting, stating,
“we quote accurately and at length in the article.”
—The New York Times, Statement
The Times also asserted,
“To date, Wayfarer Studios, Mr. Baldoni, the other subjects of the article, and their representatives have not pointed to a single error. We published their full statement in response to the allegations in the article as well. We plan to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”
—The New York Times, Statement
Implications for Ongoing Legal Disputes
This dismissal is a significant development for the involved celebrities and media organizations, notably Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times. While Baldoni’s most substantial claims have been thrown out, the case is not necessarily closed—amended lawsuits for breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract could still be filed. The impending 2026 trial of Lively’s separate legal action against Baldoni ensures that the controversy remains far from resolved, with both the film industry and media observers closely watching the developments out of New York.
