Justin Baldoni files a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Ryan Reynolds, claiming Reynolds branded him a “predator” to Hollywood executives, while Reynolds insists no such comments were ever made.

At a Glance

• Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios are suing Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane for $400 million in damages
• The lawsuit stems from disputes during the production of “It Ends With Us,” where Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment
• Reynolds is seeking dismissal from the lawsuit, claiming he made no defamatory statements
• Baldoni’s legal team insists Reynolds labeled him a “predator” in conversations with WME executives
• Multiple related lawsuits have been filed, including actions against The New York Times and former publicists

The $400 Million Legal Battle

The entertainment industry is watching closely as actor-director Justin Baldoni pursues a massive $400 million lawsuit against Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. At the center of this complex legal dispute are allegations that Reynolds defamed Baldoni by labeling him a “predator” in conversations with executives at talent agency WME.

The lawsuit filed by Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios includes claims of civil extortion, defamation, and contract violations related to the film “It Ends With Us,” which Baldoni directed and co-starred in alongside Lively.

The conflict began during the production and promotion of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. According to court documents, Lively filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment by Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath on set.

Baldoni’s team has vehemently denied these claims, characterizing the dispute as primarily about creative control rather than misconduct. Following Lively’s allegations, Baldoni was dropped by his talent agency, WME, and claims to have suffered substantial professional damage.

EXCLUSIVE: Hours after Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, the 'It Ends With Us' star and her legal team have clapped back hard.

“This latest lawsuit from Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its… pic.twitter.com/cw29XFTjr7

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 17, 2025

Reynolds’ Role and Response

Ryan Reynolds is fighting to be removed from the lawsuit, with his legal team arguing he made no defamatory statements about Baldoni. However, Baldoni’s attorneys have specifically named Reynolds as a “co-conspirator” in their legal filings, claiming he worked alongside Lively to damage Baldoni’s reputation. The lawsuit alleges Reynolds made unauthorized interventions in the film’s production and personally berated Baldoni, actions that supposedly went beyond merely supporting his wife.

According to a spokesperson for Reynolds: “Unlike Mr. Baldoni, who built his brand pretending to be a man who is ‘confident enough to listen’ to the women in his life, Ryan Reynolds actually is that man and he will continue to support his wife as she stands up to the individuals who not only harassed her but then have retaliated against her.”

Reynolds’ spokesperson has dismissed the lawsuit as fundamentally flawed, suggesting that Baldoni’s legal team is becoming aware of the weaknesses in their case. Meanwhile, Baldoni’s attorneys insist they have “ample facts” to support their claims against Reynolds, both for his direct actions and as part of an alleged conspiracy with Lively to harm Baldoni’s reputation and business interests.

Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds to request dismissal of $400 million defamation lawsuit filed by Justin Baldoni https://t.co/WXBofPp0Nw

— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 31, 2025

Competing Narratives

The dueling lawsuits have created competing narratives about what actually transpired during the making of “It Ends With Us.” Lively’s team claims that Baldoni engaged in inappropriate behavior on set and later launched a “smear campaign” against her after she reported the harassment. They assert that “the cast and others had their own negative experiences with Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer.” Lively has received public support from several industry colleagues, strengthening her position in the court of public opinion.

According to the Baldoni’s lawyers: “Reynolds pretends that Baldoni’s and the Wayfarer Studios legal team’s First Amended Complaint (the ‘FAC’) fails to set forth any basis for his liability and that he merely acted as a supportive spouse. Not so. The FAC specifically alleges ample facts to support the Wayfarer Parties claims against him, based on both his direct actions and his liability as a co-conspirator.”

Baldoni’s legal team presents a dramatically different account, claiming that Lively overstepped her role as an actress by making unauthorized creative decisions and demanding Baldoni’s exclusion from promotional activities. They argue that the harassment allegations are a calculated attempt to damage Baldoni’s reputation after creative disagreements about the film. Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has described the lawsuit as based on “an overwhelming amount of untampered evidence” showing a “duplicitous attempt to destroy Justin Baldoni.”

Growing Web of Legal Actions

What began as a dispute over a film production has expanded into multiple interconnected lawsuits. Beyond the primary actions between Baldoni, Lively, and Reynolds, Baldoni and his associates have filed a lawsuit against The New York Times for allegedly false reporting about the conflict. The newspaper has defended its coverage as “meticulously and responsibly reported.” Additionally, Baldoni’s former publicist has filed her own lawsuit against him for breach of contract and defamation.

The entertainment industry and legal observers are closely monitoring this complex case, which touches on issues of workplace conduct, professional reputation, and the power dynamics in Hollywood. With $400 million at stake and high-profile careers hanging in the balance, the outcome could have significant implications for all parties involved. As the legal process continues, both sides appear firmly entrenched in their positions, suggesting that a swift resolution is unlikely.

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