With It Ends With Us co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively not expected to meet each other in court until March 2025, the latest development in their legal battle is not one anyone saw coming. Baldoni’s $400 million (£295m) counter lawsuit – in which he accused Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds of defamation and civil extortion – has been dismissed by the judge.

On 9 June, Judge Lewis Liman dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit, which he filed at the end of December after Lively accused him of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign against her during the press run of It Ends With Us. Lively also shared details of her allegations in a New York Times article published before the lawsuit was made public. Baldoni also sued the publication for $250 million for ‘acting with malice’ by publishing a ‘one-sided version of events’, but judge Liman has dismissed that lawsuit as well.

In explaining why Baldoni’s lawsuits have been dismissed, the judge said Baldoni’s lawsuits centred on two claims: that Lively ‘stole the film’ from him and his production company, Wayfarer, by threatening not to promote it, and that she promoted a false narrative by accusing him of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign.

The judge wrote that Baldoni and his legal team ‘have not adequately alleged that Lively’s threats were wrongful extortion rather than legally permissible hard bargaining or renegotiation of working conditions’. He continued that Baldoni and his production company have not proved defamation because the ‘Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements’ in her lawsuit, which are privileged.

As for the related countersuit against The New York Times, the judge determined that evidence did not show the publication ‘acted with actual malice’ by publishing the story. ‘The alleged facts indicate that the Times reviewed the available evidence and reported, perhaps in a dramatized manner, what it believed to have happened,’ he wrote. ‘The Times had no obvious motive to favour Lively’s version of events.’

It doesn’t end there, either. Baldoni’s team was also dealt a third blow as the judge granted Marvel’s request to quash the subpoena that would mean the studio has to keep documents that might prove a character in Deadpool & Wolverine was designed to bully him. Baldoni’s lawyers had previously sent a litigation hold letter to Marvel demanding that it keep documents that might prove Reynolds created ‘Nicepool’, a faux feminist with a man bun who makes inappropriate comments to Lively’s character ‘Ladypool’, as a way of mocking him. However, Marvel’s request to be dropped from the lawsuit was also approved by the judge.

So, where does this leave Lively and Baldoni’s trial? Lively’s team is understandably elated following the dismissal. Her lawyers called the opinion ‘a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane and The New York Times‘.

‘As we have said from day one, this “$400 million” lawsuit was a sham, and the court saw right through it,’ they continued. ‘We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, Sarowitz, Nathan, and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetuated this abusive litigation.’

The Another Simple Favour actress responded to the news on Instagram writing: ‘Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us. While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back.’ Lively added that she was ‘more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman’s right to have a voice in protecting themselves’.

Baldoni, on the other hand, has until the 23 June to amend and refile his allegations if he wants to pursue different claims related to whether Lively breached a contract. His team has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit dismissals, but will no doubt be reeling.

If the actor does not amend his countersuit, he will attend court next year solely in the capacity of a defendant.

Given how much publicity the entire feud has generated – online, in the media and in court – there will be plenty of people around the world awaiting a formal response from Baldoni. The countersuit dismissal could spell the end of the unrelenting back and forth between the two actors, or it could reignite Baldoni’s team to renegotiate. Even so, the judge’s ruling is an unequivocal victory for team Lively and is being celebrated as such by her team.

Whether it means the story will disappear from our news and social feeds until Lively’s case heads to trial next year is another question entirely. Grazia will keep you informed either way.