Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Settle 'It Ends With Us' Retaliation Lawsuit Without Money Changing Hands

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni settled their nearly two-year legal dispute over the film "It Ends With Us" without any money changing hands, reports from TMZ and Page Six indicated Monday.

Lawyers for the two actors were the only ones to profit from the case. Details of the confidential agreement have not been publicly confirmed. "Anyone purporting to confirm the terms of the confidential settlement at this point is misleading you," a source close to the matter told Fox News Digital. "More information about this confidential settlement will be on the Court’s docket in the coming days."

The actors were due in court on May 18. They announced the settlement in a joint statement provided to Fox News Digital. "The end product – the movie ‘It Ends With Us’ – is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors – is a goal that we stand behind," the statement said.

"We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard," it continued. "We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online."

A federal judge had allowed Lively's retaliation claims to proceed in the case but dismissed most of her other allegations against Baldoni, including sexual harassment and defamation counts. The ruling came weeks before trial and left breach of contract claims.

Criminal defense attorney Donna Rotunno, a Fox News contributor, said the settlement suggests Lively acted to protect her reputation. "I think it was a complete disaster for her," she told Fox News Digital. "Remember, he was basically personally dismissed from the lawsuit when the judge tossed 10 of 13 counts. However, the company remained on the hook… But the fact that she caved when she claimed she had a mountain of evidence leads me to believe someone convinced her she had to save her reputation."

"I think [Baldoni] was fairly unscathed from the time he started releasing information about what really happened on set and off while filming the movie," Rotunno added. "Going to trial would’ve been much worse for her than him."

The dispute began after production on the Colleen Hoover adaptation "It Ends With Us." Lively, known from "Gossip Girl," filed a complaint in December 2024 with the California Civil Rights Department and later in federal court. She accused Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath of sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

Baldoni filed his own $400 million defamation suit, claiming Lively falsely accused him to fix her image after taking control of the film's press tour. That suit was later dismissed.