Senior executives at Sony Pictures Entertainment have found themselves involved in Blake Energetic and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle.
In unsealed court documents obtained by Us Weekly on Tuesday, January 20, internal emails from executives on the movie studio who created It Ends With Us show various opinions on Energetic and the controversy surrounding the film.
In an email from August 21, 2024, Sony president Sanford Panitch questioned why Energetic’s Blake Brown line launched similtaneously the film’s release.
“The hair sell at the identical time was epic level silly,” he allegedly wrote per court documents. “She wouldn’t listen. She knows higher.”
Multiple reports previously claimed that Energetic’s Blake Brown line was set with Goal months upfront and couldn’t be modified. The film was originally set to premiere months early, but was pushed back.
Panitch also seemingly referenced the drama with Energetic and Baldoni when he allegedly wrote, “She did it to herself. If she just let him come to the premiere or didn’t make all of the solid unfollow him or kick him off the movie and did what everyone ever has done in show business for time and memorial, which is protect ‘the show,’ then not one of the sleuthing would have happened.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Sony for comment on the unsealed court documents.
As Energetic’s legal battle with Baldoni continues, keep reading to learn more about Panitch and other Sony executives who’ve found themselves involved with the case:
Who Is Sanford Panitch?
Sanford Panitch Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Sanford Panitch joined Sony in 2016 and was named copresident of the movie group with Josh Greenstein in October 2019.
He has overseen the studio’s blockbuster franchises similar to Spider-Man, Jumanji and Venom.
In July 2025, Variety reported that Greenstein was stepping down from his role to affix Paramount. Panitch would remain as president of Sony’s Motion Picture Group.
What Did Sanford Panitch Say About Blake Energetic’s ‘It Ends With Us’ Drama?
Along with questioning the timing of Blake Energetic’s haircare line, Sanford Panitch predicted that the drama with It Ends With Us would affect the actress’ movie profession.
“It’s quite ironic because she has an enormous hit movie headed to $300M-plus,” Panitch wrote in court documents. “And doubtless won’t ever work again, or not for some time.”
When one other executive pushed back and predicted the backlash would fade, Panitch replied, “No. Disagree. She is completed for. At the very least for some time. It’s cooked.”
What Did Other Sony Executives Say About Blake Energetic’s ‘It Ends With Us’ Drama?
Blake Energetic and Justin Baldoni Nicole Rivelli / Sony Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection
Court documents revealed alleged text messages between Blake Energetic and Sony executive Ange Giannetti on August 11, 2024, days after It Ends With Us was released.
“Blake 50m dollars!! Your blood sweat tears good smarts heart and soul in each frame,” Giannetti wrote when celebrating the box office numbers. “My God. It’s incredible. Thanks 50m times and it’s only Sat night.”
In a separate deposition, Sony Motion Picture Group President Josh Greenstein said he believed the It Ends With Us edit Energetic worked on was “a stronger cut.”
“All she cared about was greatness,” Greenstein allegedly said. “I used to be incredibly impressed that — especially seeing all the pieces she was doing by way of the cut of the film and the marketing of the film, that she — her creativity, she took a — like an OK campaign and elevated it.”
In August 2024, Sony Pictures Entertainment Chair-CEO Tony Vinciquerra told The Hollywood Reporter that the corporate wants “to do 12 more movies with [Lively.]”
“Blake, Colleen [Hoover] and so many ladies put a lot effort into this remarkable movie, working selflessly from the beginning to make sure that such a crucial subject material was handled with care,” he said. “Audiences love the movie. Blake’s passion and commitment to advancing the conversation around domestic violence is commendable.”
Other executives, nonetheless, wish Energetic handled things in another way.
On August 11, 2024, Tahra Grant, Executive VP and Chief Communications Officer at Sony allegedly wrote, “She orchestrated all this drama in a completely unsavvy and amateur way (and mainly threatened…Sony) and now could be mad it backfired on her.”
What Does Justin Baldoni’s Team Consider Sony’s Messages?
In an announcement to People on January 21, 2026, Justin Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman expressed confidence that the assorted messages from Sony don’t help Energetic’s case.
“As stated all along, and reflected in our clients’ motions, in addition to in messages from Sony discussing Ms. Energetic’s behaviors, the evidence doesn’t support the claims as a matter of law,” Freedman shared. “A straightforward read of the newly released message exchanges make the reality abundantly clear. We remain confident within the legal process and clearing the names of the entire Justin Baldoni parties.”
As reports, theories and speculation concerning the set of It Ends With Us proceed to make headlines, the film’s leading lady, Blake Energetic, is getting support from a studio higher-up. “Blake, Mike Vulpo Colleen [Hoover] and so many ladies put a lot effort into this remarkable movie, working selflessly from the beginning to make sure that such […]
What Does Blake Energetic’s Team Consider Sony’s Messages?
Blake Energetic’s legal team believes various messages from Sony executives show the Gossip Girl alum had an enormous role within the film’s success.
“The documents show the Sony/Energetic cut was the one chosen for release and was an unprecedented success, earning over $80 million dollars in its opening weekend and over $351 million dollars in box office worldwide,” Sigrid McCawley, a member of Energetic’s legal team told Us. “The evidence shows Ms. Energetic worked closely with creator Colleen Hoover on the cut. Sony supported this cut, Ms. Hoover expressed her preference for this cut, Wayfarer approved it and the book’s most devoted fans reacted to the Sony/Energetic cut with enormous enthusiasm at Ms. Hoover’s charity event, Book Bonanza. The Sony/Energetic cut went on to make Sony and Wayfarer lots of of tens of millions of dollars.”