What should have been a major success story for Sony Pictures turned into an unexpected power struggle between two of Hollywood’s high-profile names—Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Initially brought on only to market and distribute It Ends With Us, Sony soon found itself entangled in one of the most contentious behind-the-scenes battles in recent Hollywood history.
Just days after the film’s release in August, Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra issued a rare public statement praising Lively, who was facing intense backlash over reports of a feud with Baldoni, her director and co-star. While Vinciquerra’s words lauded Lively’s commitment to addressing domestic violence—the central theme of It Ends With Us—they noticeably omitted any mention of Baldoni or his company, Wayfarer Studios.
What remained hidden at the time was the extent to which Sony had been playing mediator for months. The conflict boiled over when Lively, citing inappropriate on-set behavior from Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath, escalated concerns to Sony executives. However, as Sony was merely the distributor, Lively was advised to take formal complaints to Wayfarer, which she feared would be futile.
Lively later drafted a list of 17 demands—eventually expanding to 30—that Baldoni and Heath had to meet for production to continue. These demands covered everything from on-set behavior to editorial influence, including a request for solo time in the editing room. Despite industry norms that grant directors control over the first cut, Sony sided with Lively, allowing her significant input.
The situation escalated into a legal battle, with Lively suing Baldoni and Heath for alleged harassment and retaliation, while Baldoni countered with claims that Lively used her influence to take over the film’s final cut. Both lawsuits mention Sony’s role, with executives now at risk of being subpoenaed if the case goes to trial in 2026.
What started as a straightforward marketing deal for Sony evolved into a complex and ongoing dispute, raising questions about power dynamics, creative control, and the evolving role of studios in the face of high-profile conflicts.
