Long-simmering tensions behind the scenes of the 2024 film \u201cIt Ends With Us\u201d spilled into public view this week as<\/b>
\nLong-simmering tensions behind the scenes of the 2024 film \u201cIt Ends With Us\u201d spilled into public view this week as newly unsealed court testimony revealed the language a top Sony Pictures executive used while the production was in turmoil.
According to Page Six, in a deposition unsealed ahead of a summary judgment hearing, Sony executive vice president of production and senior creative Andrea Giannetti acknowledged referring to actress Blake Lively as a \u201cf\u2013king terrorist\u201d during heated discussions about the future of the film.
The remark came as Lively, who starred opposite and under the direction of Justin Baldoni, was threatening to walk away from the project unless a detailed list of demands was met.
According to the deposition, taken in September 2025, Giannetti confirmed she made the comment to Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath after learning of Lively\u2019s ultimatum.
When asked directly whether she had used the phrase, Giannetti responded, \u201cYes,\u201d according to reporting cited in the court filings.
Giannetti testified that Sony had already committed significant resources to the movie and felt boxed in by the situation.
She said the studio had invested \u201ca tremendous amount of money\u201d and believed it \u201chad to finish \u2026 or it was unreleasable,\u201d underscoring the pressure executives felt as the standoff unfolded.
Despite the tension, Giannetti said she did not recall Lively telling her that Baldoni or Heath had done anything specific on set that made her feel uncomfortable. That point stands in contrast to allegations later raised in Lively\u2019s lawsuit.
After the film\u2019s release, Giannetti sent Lively a congratulatory text celebrating its box office performance.
\u201cBlake, $50 million!! Your blood, sweat, tears, brilliant smarts, heart and soul in every single frame,\u201d the message read. \u201cMy God, it\u2019s incredible. Thank you 50 million times. And it\u2019s only Saturday night.\u201d
During her testimony, Giannetti said the message was meant solely to acknowledge the movie\u2019s \u201cgigantic\u201d commercial success, not to comment on any personal disputes that arose during production.
Lively\u2019s demands, as outlined in court filings, included restrictions on improvised intimate scenes, bans on discussions of pornography or sexual experiences, and prohibitions on comments about her body, weight, or personal life. Baldoni and Heath ultimately agreed to those terms.
According to Lively, however, compliance with her requests marked the beginning of retaliation.
Her December 2024 lawsuit accuses Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of sexual harassment and claims they later orchestrated a smear campaign designed to damage her reputation.
Baldoni has repeatedly denied the allegations and asked the court in November 2025 to dismiss the case. A judge is expected to rule Thursday on whether some or all of Lively\u2019s claims will proceed to trial, which is currently scheduled for May 2026.
\tIJR, Contributor Writer<\/p>\n