After the release of It Ends With Us last August, a surprising statement came from Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra. He praised Blake Lively while she faced a storm of criticism online regarding her relationship with director Justin Baldoni and the film’s promotion. Notably, he did not mention Baldoni or his production company, Wayfarer Studios, which had partnered with Sony to market the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel about love and domestic abuse.
Vinciquerra’s statement highlighted Lively’s dedication to discussing issues of domestic violence. “Blake’s passion and commitment are commendable. We love working with her and want to create more projects together,” he said. His retirement followed soon after, but he also recognized Hoover and the women involved in the film.
What many didn’t realize was that Sony had played an unexpected role as a mediator in a brewing conflict between Lively, who is married to Ryan Reynolds, and Baldoni’s ambitious production company. It seems Vinciquerra’s supportive words aimed to help Lively regain control over her public image, as she faced harsh online backlash, including threats directed towards her family.
Alongside Lively, several cast members who did not stand by Baldoni during marketing events also felt the heat and reached out for help. Lively later filed a lawsuit alleging harassment on set and claimed Baldoni launched a smear campaign against her after the film premiered.
Despite becoming a box office hit, earning over $350 million from a $25 million budget, the film has turned into a nightmare for Sony. While not directly involved in the lawsuits, the studio is cited by both sides. Executives could face subpoenas if the case progresses to trial in March 2026.
As the turmoil unfolded during production, Lively began voicing her concerns to Sony’s production executive, Ange Giannetti, citing instances of inappropriate behavior by Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath. Even when she aimed to file an HR complaint, she hesitated to approach Wayfarer, fearing they wouldn’t act adequately due to the involvement of Baldoni and Heath.
Giannetti took Lively’s concerns seriously and conveyed them to Wayfarer. This created a tense atmosphere on set, leading Lively to draft a list of demands that Baldoni and Heath needed to sign for her to continue working. Notably, the demands included strict guidelines about physical contact and discussions of personal matters related to sex and nudity.
After Wayfarer agreed to the demands under pressure to save the film, Lively returned to the set, and production continued without any major incidents. However, creative control issues reemerged, particularly when Lively sought additional editing time, raising questions about her involvement in shaping the movie.
As tension escalated, the situation became even more complicated. Lively insisted on working with her editor, which led to further negotiations with Sony and Wayfarer. Eventually, her input was acknowledged, and her version of the film was celebrated at various screenings, drawing positive responses from audiences.
The launch of Lively’s version fueled speculation about the extent to which her edits influenced the final product. Despite the accolades, her journey transitioned into a contentious legal battle that included allegations of using her position and influence to reshape the film and cut out Baldoni’s contributions.
In a dramatic turn of events, Lively’s cut of the film was released and became a commercial success, making headlines for its impressive box office performance. However, the excitement was soon overshadowed by the unraveling conflict and Lively’s legal claims against Baldoni for allegedly stealing creative control.
As the dust settles, experts wonder whether it was worth it for Sony to engage in these controversies. The outcome of the legal disputes remains uncertain, and a potential trial could lead to further complications for the studio. Ultimately, this saga illustrates the complexities of Hollywood relationships and the challenges driven by creative control and personal issues.
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Source linkBlake Lively,it ends with us,Ryan Reynolds
