Sony Executives’ Private Opinions on Blake Lively and “It Ends With Us” Drama Revealed in Court Documents

Recently unsealed court documents have provided a revealing look at what Sony executives allegedly thought about the controversy surrounding Blake Lively and her involvement in the film adaptation of “It Ends With Us.” The documents, obtained by Us Weekly in January, expose private communications that suggest some Sony leadership believed Lively’s actions contributed to the negative publicity she received. According to the filings, Sony President Sanford Panitch wrote in August 2024 that Lively’s decision to launch her hair care brand, Blake Brown, simultaneous with the film’s promotion was “epic level stupid.” Panitch allegedly went further, stating, “She wouldn’t listen. She knows better. She did it to herself.” He suggested that if Lively had allowed director Justin Baldoni to attend the premiere, prevented cast members from unfollowing him on social media, or simply “protected ‘the show'” as is customary in the entertainment industry, the subsequent public scrutiny could have been avoided. Sony CEO Tom Rothman similarly noted that while Lively didn’t “deserve” the social media backlash, “she did bring it all on herself by refusing to listen to advice… and by selling her products.”

The drama between Lively and Baldoni apparently extended beyond mere professional disagreements. Following the film’s release, Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department, later suing him for sexual harassment—claims Baldoni has consistently denied. Baldoni subsequently countersued Lively, though his lawsuit was dismissed in June 2025. A civil trial is scheduled to begin in May of this year, with these unsealed documents providing a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes tensions that plagued the production. Tahra Grant, Executive VP and Chief Communications Officer at Sony, allegedly wrote that Lively “orchestrated all this drama in a totally unsavvy and amateur way (and basically threatened… Sony) and now is mad it backfired on her.” The timing of Lively’s Blake Brown hair care launch became a point of contention, though Entertainment Weekly had previously reported that the product launch was never intended to coincide with the film’s premiere, which had been delayed by several months.

Despite these criticisms, not all Sony executives viewed Lively’s involvement negatively. Josh Greenstein, Sony Motion Picture Group President, reportedly stated in a deposition that the film edit Lively worked on was “a stronger cut” than the alternative. “All she cared about was greatness,” Greenstein allegedly said, expressing that he was “incredibly impressed” with her creativity and how she “took a—like an OK campaign and elevated it.” Court documents also revealed text messages between Lively and Sony executive Ange Giannetti celebrating the film’s box office success. After the movie earned $50 million in its opening days, Giannetti texted Lively: “Your blood sweat tears brilliant smarts heart and soul in every single frame. My God. It’s incredible. Thank you 50m times and it’s only Sat night.” This mixed response from Sony leadership illustrates the complex dynamics at play throughout the production and release of the film.

Author Colleen Hoover, whose bestselling novel served as the basis for the film, also found herself caught in the middle of the conflict. According to court documents, Hoover sent an email to Sony expressing hesitation about attending the film’s premiere if Baldoni’s team would be present. “I go back and forth every day between continuing to show up for this movie or going into hiding because it’s all causing me anxiety and bringing attention that I’m not prepared for/used to,” she allegedly wrote. Hoover seemed to sympathize with Lively’s position, writing, “I can see where Blake is coming from if she chooses not to attend, because if I were in her shoes, I’m not so sure I would be able to stomach seeing someone else accept credit and accolades for what was also a huge massive effort on her part, and having to share what should be a celebratory moment with people you absolutely can’t celebrate with.” Despite these concerns, Lively, Hoover, and Baldoni all ultimately attended the New York City premiere on August 6, 2024.

The film itself proved to be a commercial success despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil. According to a statement from Sigrid McCawley, a member of Lively’s legal team, the “Sony/Lively cut” of the film was the version chosen for release and went on to earn over $80 million in its opening weekend and more than $351 million worldwide. McCawley emphasized that “Ms. Lively worked closely with author Colleen Hoover on the cut. Sony supported this cut, Ms. Hoover expressed her preference for this cut, Wayfarer approved it and the book’s most devoted fans reacted to the Sony/Lively cut with enormous enthusiasm at Ms. Hoover’s charity event, Book Bonanza.” This statement appears to frame Lively’s involvement as crucial to the film’s success, suggesting that her creative input ultimately benefited all parties financially, with McCawley noting that “The Sony/Lively cut went on to make Sony and Wayfarer hundreds of millions of dollars.”

As the legal proceedings continue and more documents become public, this case offers a rare glimpse into the complicated relationships and power dynamics that can exist behind major Hollywood productions. What began as the adaptation of a popular novel has evolved into a multifaceted conflict involving allegations of sexual harassment, creative control disputes, and corporate politics. The unsealed documents reveal a stark contrast between public appearances—where stars, authors, and executives presented a unified front at premieres and press events—and private communications that tell a more nuanced story of creative differences, personal conflicts, and professional boundaries. As the civil trial approaches in May, both the entertainment industry and the public will likely gain further insight into how this successful film project became entangled in such significant personal and professional controversy.