Blake Lively is set to receive a sum slightly over $400,000 out of the $8 million she initially sought in legal expenses from actor and director Justin Baldoni following their resolution of a dispute over their 2024 movie “It Ends With Us,” as per a ruling by a federal judge on Wednesday.
Judge Lewis J. Liman, in a written decision in Manhattan, outlined why Lively was not granted the full amount requested by her legal team, citing a California law aimed at safeguarding survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination from retaliatory legal actions.
Acknowledging the intense legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, the judge restricted the reimbursement of legal fees to a portion of what was claimed, specifically for defense against defamation claims rather than all claims made by Baldoni. Consequently, Lively has been awarded $363,245 in attorneys’ fees and $44,206 in costs.
Both Baldoni and Lively’s representatives were approached for comments but did not immediately respond.
In her lawsuit, Lively alleged instances of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. However, Baldoni, who directed and starred in the film alongside Lively, refuted the harassment allegations, asserting they were fabricated to gain control over the movie.
Following Lively’s lawsuit, Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios LLC countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleging civil extortion, defamation, invasion of privacy, breach of good faith, and economic interference. The countersuit was dismissed by Liman in June 2025, and Lively’s sexual harassment claims were rejected nearly a year later based on her status as an independent contractor during the film production.
A settlement was reached between Lively and Baldoni in early May, just before a trial was scheduled, with both parties emphasizing the importance of addressing concerns in the workplace and maintaining a professional environment.
“It Ends With Us,” adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel, performed well at the box office despite criticism of its portrayal of abuse. However, the discord between Lively and Baldoni overshadowed the film’s success.
Lively claimed that during filming, Baldoni made inappropriate remarks about her appearance, crossed physical boundaries during intimate scenes, and insisted on nudity against her wishes in a childbirth scene.
Baldoni maintained that his actions were within the scope of normal filmmaking processes.
Lively’s previous works include “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Gossip Girl,” while Baldoni is known for his roles in “Jane the Virgin” and his directorial and writing projects.
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