LOS ANGELES: Hollywood actress Blake Lively has moved to withdraw key emotional distress claims against director Justin Baldoni in an ongoing legal dispute linked to their collaboration on the film ‘It Ends With Us’, according to court filings cited by Variety.
The development follows demands by Baldoni’s legal team for access to Lively’s medical and therapy records to contest her allegations of “severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, embarrassment, belittlement, frustration and mental anguish.”
In documents submitted on Monday, Baldoni’s lawyers said Lively’s counsel notified them in writing of her intention to withdraw the claims.
“Instead of complying with the Medical RFPs [Requests for Production], Ms Lively’s counsel recently advised us… that Ms Lively is withdrawing her [infliction of emotional distress] claims,” the filing stated.
However, the filing also noted that Lively had refused to withdraw the claims with prejudice—a legal term meaning the claims could not be refiled—raising concerns that she may pursue them again after the discovery window closes.
“Ms Lively wants to simultaneously: (a) refuse to disclose the information and documents needed to disprove that she suffered any emotional distress… and (b) maintain the right to re-file her IED claims at an unknown time,” the document added.
In a statement to Variety, Lively’s legal team dismissed Baldoni’s filing as “a press stunt” and defended her decision as part of a legal strategy to streamline her case.
“The Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy of filing retaliatory claims has exposed them to expansive new damages claims under California law, rendering certain of Ms Lively’s original claims no longer necessary,” the statement said.
Lively’s lawyers emphasised that she continues to allege emotional distress as part of broader claims, including sexual harassment and retaliation.
They also confirmed that she is seeking substantial compensatory damages on all remaining claims.
Lively first sued Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign during the production of It Ends With Us, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.
In January 2025, Baldoni responded by countersuing Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, alleging civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy.
The legal wrangling has drawn widespread media attention, with both sides trading accusations through court documents.
The court is now expected to rule on whether to dismiss the emotional distress claims or compel Lively to disclose her mental health records as originally requested.
The case has also briefly involved global pop icon Taylor Swift, who was subpoenaed over allegations that she encouraged Baldoni to accept script revisions proposed by Lively.
Swift’s legal team strongly objected to the subpoena, calling it “an unwarranted fishing expedition.” The subpoena was dropped within two weeks, according to Variety.
