Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer, have reached a settlement that ends their high-profile legal battle just two weeks before jury selection was due to begin. Terms were not immediately disclosed as both sides said the agreement allows the parties to move forward constructively.
Lively had sued over alleged sexual harassment and a subsequent smear campaign tied to the 2024 production of It Ends With Us. Baldoni denied the allegations. A federal judge earlier narrowed the case by dismissing 10 of the 13 claims, leaving three counts retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation, and breach of contract against Wayfarer and an associated PR firm.
Case timeline and key developments
- How it started: The dispute began after a California Civil Rights Department complaint and a New York federal lawsuit in late 2024 accusing Baldoni of inappropriate on-set behavior and improvising intimacy.
- Early rulings: Last month, the court tossed most claims, including those framed as sexual harassment and defamation, largely on legal grounds such as Lively’s status as an independent contractor.
- Surviving claims: The remaining allegations focused on retaliation and contract issues tied to the production company and PR team, not Baldoni personally.
Public back-and-forth and evidence
- Media revelations: The case produced intense public scrutiny after texts, on-set footage and other communications surfaced, drawing widespread headlines.
- PR and counterclaims: Baldoni’s team said any remarks were miscommunications relevant to the film’s themes; his 2025 defamation suit against Lively and Ryan Reynolds was dismissed last year.
- Court decorum: Judges urged lawyers to limit public statements to prevent prejudicing the proceedings during the year-long drama.
What the settlement means
The confidential deal averts a jury trial that promised more disclosure of internal messages and witness testimony. Both sides issued a joint statement acknowledging the film’s challenges and urging respectful online conversation as they move on.
