India, April 4 -- A ctor Blake Lively's legal battle against her It Ends With Us (2024) co-star and director Justin Baldoni has hit a major setback. In a ruling issued on Thursday, a judge dismissed most of her claims, including allegations of sexual harassment, defamation and conspiracy. Judge Lewis Liman said Blake couldn't pursue a federal sexual harassment claim as an independent contractor, or file one under California law as filming was in New Jersey. Only three of her 13 claims - breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation - will proceed to trial, set for 18 May in New York. "We look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court," said Justin's attorneys. As per Variety, Sigrid McCawley, a member of Blake's legal team, said, "This case has always been and will remain focused on the retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake's reputation because she stood up for safety on the set and that is the case that is going to trial. She looks forward to testifying at trial." HTC...