Hollywood often sees big legal fights, and now, actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are in the middle of one. Lively has asked the court to dismiss Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit. This comes just days after her husband, Ryan Reynolds, made a similar request. Lively is using a California law, AB 933, which could change how similar cases are handled in the future.
Lively Uses California Law for Protection
Lively’s lawyers say Baldoni is suing her to punish her for speaking out about sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us. They point to California law AB 933, which protects people who share their experiences of harassment, assault, or discrimination. Under this law, people cannot be sued for speaking out unless they are lying on purpose.
“This lawsuit is a misuse of the legal system,” Lively’s lawyers said. They also explained that California law does not allow lawsuits against people who talk about workplace harassment. If the court agrees, Baldoni and his co-defendants, including billionaire Steve Sarowitz and Wayfarer Studios, may have to pay Lively and Reynolds’ legal fees.
Baldoni Faces Serious Consequences
If the court supports Lively, Baldoni could lose a lot of money. AB 933 allows people who win their case to get their legal fees covered and even receive extra money as punishment. This means Baldoni could end up paying three times what Lively and Reynolds spent on their lawyers. Experts believe this case could be important for future Hollywood lawsuits, where people sometimes sue for defamation after being accused of misconduct.
Lively’s lawyers also pointed out problems in Baldoni’s lawsuit. He first claims Lively had power over the film’s production, but then he says she lied about harassment to gain influence. Her legal team argues that these mixed messages make his case weaker.
Ryan Reynolds Fights Back Too
Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, is also trying to get Baldoni’s lawsuit dismissed. He called Baldoni a “predator” and says this is just his opinion, which is protected by free speech. His lawyers argue that opinions are not defamation and should not be punished in court.
Jenny Slate Stays Neutral
Jenny Slate, who acted with Lively and Baldoni in It Ends With Us, has mostly stayed out of the drama. In an interview, she refused to comment directly. She only said, “I am here to talk about my work.” In December 2024, she briefly supported Lively but has not spoken about the lawsuit since.
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Impact on Hollywood and the #MeToo Movement
This case is important because it shows the legal risks of suing people for speaking about harassment. AB 933 is meant to protect people who come forward with their stories. If Lively wins, it may stop others from filing similar lawsuits in the future. It could also give more people confidence to speak out without fear of being sued.
Hollywood is watching closely to see what the court decides. If Lively’s request is approved, it could change how these legal battles are handled. Whether it sets a new legal standard or is just another big Hollywood case, the impact will be felt for a long time.
We will update as the case continues.