During a deposition linked to Blake Lively’s ongoing legal dispute with Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, Andrea Giannetti, a senior creative and executive vice president at Sony Pictures, referred to Lively as a “f***ing terrorist.” This incident took place amid tensions on the set of the film It Ends With Us, after Lively reportedly threatened to abandon the project over unmet demands.
Details of the Sony Executive’s Statement Emerged in Court Proceedings
The testimony surfaced publicly on January 20, ahead of a summary judgment hearing. Giannetti confirmed during her September 23 deposition that she used the offensive term to describe Lively after learning that the actress had submitted a 17-point list of requested changes to the film, with an ultimatum to leave if those demands were ignored. When questioned directly, Giannetti acknowledged saying, “Yes,” to calling Lively a “f***ing terrorist.”
Giannetti further explained that the studio had already invested roughly $28 million in production, emphasizing the high stakes involved. She noted that allowing production to stop at that point could have rendered the movie unreleasable.
There was a tremendous amount of money that had been invested and spent, and we had to finish the movie, or it was unreleasable,
Andrea Giannetti, Sony Pictures executive
Post-Production Communication Shows a Shift in Tone
Despite the earlier conflict, Giannetti later contacted Lively to express her gratitude for the actress’s dedication after the movie’s release. In a message dated August 11, 2024, Giannetti praised Lively’s efforts, highlighting the film’s milestone earnings.
Blake, $50 million!! Your blood, sweat, tears, brilliant smarts, heart and soul in every single frame. My God, it’s incredible. Thank you 50 million times. And it’s only Saturday night.
Andrea Giannetti, Sony Pictures executive
Upcoming Trial to Continue Legal Battle Over Production Disputes
The lawsuit filed by Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni and his public relations counsel is scheduled for trial on May 18, 2026. The legal proceedings will likely clarify unresolved issues stemming from the production of It Ends With Us, as well as the tensions highlighted by the Sony executive’s deposition statements.
