Overview
- Baldoni and co-defendants filed a 73-page motion on Nov. 13 asking Judge Lewis J. Liman to dismiss Lively’s harassment and retaliation claims without a trial.
- The defense submitted a deleted-scene video alleging Lively improvised on‑set kisses and included text messages describing a tense January 2024 meeting with Ryan Reynolds.
- Lawyers argue no reasonable juror could find the cited conduct amounts to harassment or retaliation and contend Lively functioned as an independent contractor, which affects Title VII coverage.
- Unsealed filings show Lively seeks about $161.2 million in damages and list numerous high-profile potential witnesses, with trial currently scheduled for March 2026 in New York if the motion is denied.
- A Texas defamation suit by consultant Jed Wallace against Lively was dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction, and separate claims involving Wallace were also dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.