Inside Justin Baldoni’s Explosive $400M Lawsuit Against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds—All the Details

Hollywood’s latest legal drama, actor and director Justin Baldoni has filed a $400 million lawsuit against his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and her firm Vision PR. The lawsuit, filed in New York, alleges defamation, civil extortion, false light invasion of privacy, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, intentional interference with contractual relations, and both intentional and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage.

Allegations of Defamation and Extortion

Baldoni’s legal action stems from a series of events during and after the production of It Ends With Us. The lawsuit claims that Lively, Reynolds, and their associates engaged in a concerted effort to tarnish Baldoni’s reputation and coerce him into compliance with their demands. Central to these allegations are Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment against Baldoni, which she reported to the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024. Lively alleged that Baldoni had improvised unwanted kissing scenes and made inappropriate comments on set, creating a hostile work environment. These claims were initially reported by The New York Times, leading to widespread media coverage and public scrutiny.

Disputes Over Creative Control

The lawsuit further contends that Lively overstepped her contractual boundaries by attempting to exert undue influence over the film’s production. Baldoni alleges that Lively commissioned a separate edit of the film without his knowledge and made significant script changes, despite reportedly not having read the source material—a claim that concerned her colleagues. Additionally, the suit claims that Reynolds contributed to script rewrites without Baldoni’s consent, further complicating the production process.

Involvement of Publicist Leslie Sloane and Vision PR

Publicist Leslie Sloane and her firm, Vision PR, are also named in the lawsuit. Baldoni accuses them of amplifying false allegations and participating in a smear campaign designed to damage his professional standing. The suit alleges that Sloane and her team coordinated with Lively and Reynolds to manipulate media narratives and public perception to Baldoni’s detriment.

Taylor Swift’s Alleged Connection

The lawsuit also references singer Taylor Swift, alleging that her name was used as leverage in the dispute. Baldoni claims that Lively and her team hinted at Swift’s involvement to gain an upper hand during negotiations, further complicating the situation.

Baldoni’s Legal Strategy

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has stated that they possess substantial evidence supporting their claims. Freedman emphasized that Lively and her associates manipulated information to damage Baldoni’s reputation and extort unwarranted concessions. This lawsuit follows Baldoni’s previous $250 million defamation suit against The New York Times, in which he claimed the publication’s reporting on Lively’s allegations was defamatory.

Implications for the Entertainment Industry

This legal battle highlights the complexities of addressing allegations of misconduct within the entertainment industry. The outcome of these proceedings could have significant implications for all parties involved and may influence industry practices regarding on-set behavior and conflict resolution.

Current Status

As of now, representatives for Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane have not publicly commented on the lawsuit. The case is expected to draw significant attention as it progresses, with potential ramifications for the careers and reputations of those involved.