Sony executives slammed Blake Lively in court documents amid It Ends With Us lawsuit

Court filings reveal Sony executives privately criticized Blake Lively as legal tensions with Justin Baldoni escalate

Newly unsealed court documents from the ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have revealed blunt internal communications from senior Sony Pictures executives regarding the fallout surrounding It Ends With Us.

The documents, filed in New York district court, include private emails and text messages exchanged in August 2024 as Sony executives attempted to manage the public relations crisis that followed Lively’s harassment and retaliation lawsuit against Baldoni. Baldoni, who directed and co-starred in the film, has denied the allegations and filed a defamation countersuit against Lively and The New York Times.

Among the most cited messages is an email from Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group president Sandford Panitch, who wrote that Lively “did it to herself,” criticizing decisions such as barring Baldoni from the film’s New York premiere and launching haircare and beverage promotions alongside a film centered on domestic violence. Panitch argued that these moves intensified online scrutiny and backlash.

Sony CEO Tom Rothman echoed similar concerns in separate correspondence, stating that while Lively did not deserve personal attacks, her refusal to follow studio advice contributed to the controversy. Sony’s chief communications officer Tahra Grant was more direct, writing that Lively “orchestrated all this drama in a totally unsavvy and amateur way.”

The disclosures have drawn comparisons to the 2014 Sony hack, exposing how candid studio executives can be behind closed doors during high-profile disputes. Additional filings reference heated exchanges involving producer Ange Giannetti and critical comments from Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, toward Sony leadership.

Despite the turmoil, It Ends With Us was a major commercial success, grossing approximately $350 million worldwide. A potential sequel remains uncertain, as Baldoni controls the rights. A federal judge has not yet ruled on Baldoni’s motion to dismiss Lively’s lawsuit, with a decision expected soon.