Long-simmering tensions behind the scenes of the 2024 film “It Ends With Us” 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 “f–king terrorist” 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’s ultimatum.
When asked directly whether she had used the phrase, Giannetti responded, “Yes,” 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 “a tremendous amount of money” and believed it “had to finish … or it was unreleasable,” 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’s lawsuit.
After the film’s release, Giannetti sent Lively a congratulatory text celebrating its box office performance.
“Blake, $50 million!! Your blood, sweat, tears, brilliant smarts, heart and soul in every single frame,” the message read. “My God, it’s incredible. Thank you 50 million times. And it’s only Saturday night.”
During her testimony, Giannetti said the message was meant solely to acknowledge the movie’s “gigantic” commercial success, not to comment on any personal disputes that arose during production.
Lively’s 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’s claims will proceed to trial, which is currently scheduled for May 2026.
