Blake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni of evading responsibility in attempt to dismiss It Ends with Us lawsuit

Blake Lively has responded to Justin Baldonis request to dismiss her $161 million sexual harassment lawsuit, asserting that the It Ends with Us director and co-star is attempting to "evade responsibility" for the alleged hostile work environment on set.

Lively, 38, accuses Baldoni, 41, and his public relations team of orchestrating a deliberate campaign to damage her reputation after she spoke out about alleged misconduct during filming. Baldoni had previously filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, claiming they aimed to "ruin" his professional standing. That countersuit was dismissed last month after Baldoni failed to file an amended complaint by the October deadline.

As Livelys case moves forward, with a trial scheduled for March 9, 2026, Baldoni has asked the court to prevent the lawsuit from reaching trial. In a filing last month, his legal team argued that Lively cannot prove any actionable sexual harassment and contended that no reasonable jury would rule against him.

On Thursday, Livelys attorneys submitted a rebuttal, insisting she deserves her "day in court." The filing stated that Baldoni, along with co-defendants Jamey Heath and Steve Sarowitz, seeks to avoid accountability for creating a hostile atmosphere during the production and promotion of It Ends with Us. According to a heavily redacted 72-page document reported by Deadline, their motion attempts to dismiss Livelys sexual harassment and retaliation claims altogether.

The lawsuit further claims that the defendants disregarded complaints and failed to follow proper workplace policies. Livelys legal team argued that their actions to portray her as a bully on set are not a legitimate defense against harassment, retaliation, or defamation claims.

Baldoni directed and co-starred with Lively in the 2024 romantic drama It Ends with Us, adapted from Colleen Hoovers bestselling novel, in which Lively plays a flower shop owner who falls for a charismatic yet abusive neurosurgeon.

Hoover, who was an executive producer on the film, criticized the ongoing legal dispute. She described the situation as "a circus" and noted that it has deeply affected the careers and well-being of those involved. Hoover also reflected on her own experiences, sharing that the lawsuit has brought emotional distress linked to the storys inspiration from her mothers abuse, making her hesitant to promote the film further.

Author: Riley Thompson