Major update as Blake Lively drops claim against Justin Baldoni in legal case

There has been a huge update in the lawsuit involving Hollywood actors Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively after the Gossip Girl star dropped a serious claim against the director and actor.

Work relationships are never perfect, but Baldoni and Lively took things up a level after clashing on the set of It Ends With Us in 2024, which led to both filing a lawsuit against each other.

After a disastrous press tour in which the two stars, who date in the film before Lively's character realises Baldoni's is abusive, rarely appeared together, the director sued Lively after essentially accusing her of destroying any chance of the film's success.

Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios sued for £320 million, on claims of civil extortion, defamation, false light invasion of privacy, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, intentional interference with contractual relations, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage.

Justin Baldoni (Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty Images)

"Heartbreakingly, a film that Baldoni envisioned years ago would honour the survivors of domestic violence by telling their story, with the lofty goal of making a positive impact in the world, has now been overshadowed beyond recognition solely as a result of Lively’s actions and cruelty," the lawsuit says.

Baldoni also launched a lawsuit against Lively's husband - Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds - suggesting that he had angrily confronted him after he asked about Lively's weight ahead of a dancing scene, while Reynolds also sought to replace staff on the film and also re-wrote some of the scenes.

Meanwhile, Lively first filed a lawsuit against Baldoni back in December 2024, where she alleged sexual harassment and a campaign of 'social manipulation' against her, as well as various other accusations.

Those included claims of Baldoni's 'improvised intimacy' on set, while she also suggested that her on-screen partner made her feel bad about her postpartum body, as she had given birth just a few weeks before filming. Strangely, it was also alleged that Baldoni showed a video to Lively without her consent, which showed his wife fully nude giving birth but he and his lawyers suggested this was all a 'smear campaign'.

However, on 2 June, the 37-year-old actress confirmed that she wanted to withdraw and dismiss her claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Ryan Reynolds quickly became involved in the lawsuit alongside his wife Blake (Aeon/GC Images)

According to People, Kevin Fritz, a lawyer for Baldoni, filed a letter requesting 'an order compelling Blake Lively to identify her medical and mental health care providers' but Lively refused 'to disclose the information and documents needed to disprove that she suffered any emotional distress'.

The Gossip Girl actress 'continues to allege emotional distress, as part of numerous other claims in her lawsuit, such as sexual harassment and retaliation, and massive additional compensatory damages on all of her claims'.

Lively's legal team has since denied the claims, arguing they are instead 'streamlining' the case in preparation for trial.

"We are doing what trial lawyers do: preparing our case for trial by streamlining and focusing it; they are doing what they do: desperately seeking another tired round of tabloid coverage," Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb said in a statement (via Deadline).

"The Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy of filing retaliatory claims has exposed them to expansive new damages claims under California law, rendering certain of Ms. Lively’s original claims no longer necessary. Ms. Lively continues to allege emotional distress, as part of numerous other claims in her lawsuit, such as sexual harassment and retaliation, and massive additional compensatory damages on all of her claims."

LADbible group has contacted Lively and Baldoni’s representatives for comment.