Blake Lively pushed back publicly on Friday after a judge narrowed her lawsuit tied to the film It Ends With Us, saying she will continue to pursue accountability even as one major claim was dismissed. With a New York jury trial set for May 18, the actress framed the dispute as more than a celebrity legal battle—she cast it as a fight over workplace safety and the real-world effects of online harassment.
In a social-media post responding to Thursday’s summary ruling by Judge Lewis Liman, Lively said she remains committed to exposing those who “harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims,” and noted the privilege of being able to speak out. She thanked the judge for the ruling while making clear she won’t back down now that the case will proceed to trial on its core claims.
What the court decided — and what moves forward
Liman’s decision removed the sexual-harassment allegation from Lively’s complaint, a change her legal team said stemmed from state jurisdiction limits and her contractual status on the production. However, the judge allowed the central defamation and retaliation counts to survive — meaning jurors will weigh whether Lively was subjected to an orchestrated smear campaign around the movie’s release.
Attorneys on both sides had tried but failed to settle the dispute after the judge encouraged negotiations earlier in the case. Bryan Freedman, counsel for Justin Baldoni, reported that settlement talks were unsuccessful. The trial date remains May 18.
Competing narratives
Lively contends that executives and PR operatives associated with Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios coordinated online attacks against her in late 2024 to blunt allegations she intended to make about conduct during the production. Her team points to messages and other communications they say show a concerted effort to damage her reputation.
Baldoni’s camp has consistently denied orchestrating a campaign, saying the critical commentary Lively endured was an organic reaction online. Both sides have exchanged public statements through lawyers and agencies since the dispute surfaced.
- Dismissed claim: Sexual-harassment count removed at summary judgment, tied to jurisdiction and contractor status.
- Claims proceeding: Defamation and retaliation scheduled for jury trial beginning May 18.
- Settlement efforts: Judge encouraged negotiations; attorneys reported talks failed.
- Core issue: Whether online attacks were coordinated to preempt Lively going public about alleged misconduct.
Beyond legal technicalities, Lively’s post emphasized the personal toll of being targeted online, arguing that “physical pain from digital violence is very real.” That line echoed broader concerns about how social-media campaigns can cause tangible harm to reputation, mental health and career prospects.
Why this matters now
The case will test how courts handle claims about coordinated online reputation attacks tied to workplace disputes, and it arrives as legislators and platforms grapple with misinformation, harassment and the role of PR in shaping narratives. For readers, the outcome could have implications for how employers, studios and public relations teams are held accountable when online campaigns intersect with allegations of misconduct.
Lively’s closing signal on Friday was unambiguous: she intends to prove her remaining allegations to a jury. As she put it in shorter form on social media, “See you in court.”
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Hello, I’m Declan. I share my film reviews and discoveries with you to enrich your moviegoing experience.