The It Ends With Us Drama: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni & Feud Rumors

The It Ends With Us Drama: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni & Feud Rumors

As a voracious reader who has been deeply moved by the works of Colleen Hoover, I must say that watching the adaptation of her beloved novel “It Ends With Us” was an emotional rollercoaster for me. Being a fan of both Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, I was already excited about the film, but their dedication to portraying the sensitive subject matter of domestic violence with sensitivity and care truly touched my heart.


Justin Baldoni will never forget the first time he read Colleen Hoover’s novel It Ends With Us.

“He shared with CBS Mornings that, by the time he finished the book, he was tearing up so much that he could no longer decipher the words on the page.”

Published in 2016, the novel “It Ends With Us” follows the journey of Lily Bloom. Raised in Maine, she was witness to her father’s violent treatment towards her mother. Later, as an adult, Lily leaves her home behind and ventures to Boston to realize her ambition of running a florist shop. It is here that she encounters neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, who becomes her lover but eventually turns abusive. However, the arrival of her childhood sweetheart Atlas Corrigan complicates matters, forcing Lily to contemplate her path ahead and make crucial decisions about her future.

Baldoni penned a missive to Hoover, who had previously shared insights about her drawing inspiration from her father’s mistreatment of her mother. In this letter, Baldoni expressed his deep affection for the book and inquired whether Hoover might be interested in transforming it into a film.

He mused, “If something like this impacts me so significantly, then I shudder to think about its potential impact on women and others globally who are in similar circumstances. We each carry our unique situations or patterns, and it’s crucial to break those cycles.”

In 2019, Baldoni acquired the rights for the book with the intention of directing. However, as he and Hoover engaged in a correspondence similar to pen pals via email, she suggested he take on the role of Ryle as well. He expressed hesitation, stating that while he harbored a desire to play Ryle, he wasn’t sure if others would find him convincing. But when Colleen sent him an email expressing her belief in him, it helped boost his own self-belief. Together with Hoover, they developed the project further. They brought Christy Hall on board to write, and two years after that initial email, Baldoni decided he would indeed play Ryle.

In my quest for inspiration and guidance, I discovered my own ‘Lily’ – none other than the radiant Blake Lively. Not only did she captivate me on screen, but she also took on the role of an executive producer in the project. A true multifaceted gem!

“During our initial encounter, which lasted for three hours, I had a chat with Blake,” Baldoni shared on Good Morning America. “Shortly following this conversation, I sent her a text message and simply expressed, ‘You are the embodiment of Lily Bloom.'”

The It Ends With Us Drama: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni & Feud Rumors

As images and updates about the movie circulated, fans expressed their views on various aspects such as Lily’s outfits, Baldoni and Lively appearing older than their book characters. However, with a blockbuster novel that dominated BookTok and an ensemble cast featuring stars like Jenny Slate, Brandon Sklenar, and Hasan Minhaj, it appeared that It Ends With Us had all the potential ingredients to blossom into a significant box office hit.

The movie indeed made an impressive start, bringing in $100 million worldwide within its first week, according to data from THR. However, as the earnings have grown steadily, so has the speculation about a lingering disagreement between Lively and Baldoni.

How did the It Ends With Us feud rumors start?

It was apparent to social media observers that Baldoni and Lively didn’t take any photos together at the premiere of “It Ends With Us” in New York on Aug 6. Interestingly, the director was not pictured with any cast members from the film, while Lively posed for pictures with her co-stars on several occasions. Furthermore, during the event, Hoover and Lively appeared together to discuss the movie, but Baldoni wasn’t present on stage with them.

Over the coming days, Lively made appearances at film premieres in London and Copenhagen, while Baldoni conducted press interviews in New York. Notably, most of the cast, with the exception of Isabela Ferrer (who played teenage Lily opposite Alex Neustaedter as teenage Atlas), did not join either event.

In the course of promotional activities for the film, it was noted that Drew Baldoni predominantly conducted his interviews independently, whereas other cast members participated in joint interviews. During these group discussions, viewers noticed varying responses from Slate and Lively when questioned about Baldoni. Some social media users commented on the apparent divergence in their conversations regarding him.

The It Ends With Us Drama: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni & Feud Rumors

What have It Ends With Us stars said about working on the film?

Although neither Lively nor Baldoni have explicitly addressed the rumors about their supposed feud, they’ve both shared insights into their experiences during the filmmaking process. For example, Baldoni openly discussed the difficulties he encountered while balancing directing and acting roles.

While Baldoni expressed, “You don’t need to heed everyone’s advice, and not every situation called for this, there were instances when I would relinquish control too readily.”

Many ideas for the film, he added, came from Lively.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I can tell you firsthand that Blake Lively truly shone in the film-making process. During our collaboration, there were moments when I felt it was best for her to take center stage, stepping aside myself to let her creative brilliance shine through.

According to Lively, “When Atlas arrives, the atmosphere becomes intense and filled with weight,” she went on. “There’s conflict, there’s suffering, there’s chaos, there’s tension. It’s because you think, ‘Oh my goodness, my soulmate, the one I couldn’t keep, the person who seems to be everywhere I am, is here now and we still share this bond.’ Even though you might deeply love this person, they make you feel emotionally turbulent.”

In the meantime, Sklenar admired the skills of his fellow team members, particularly Baldoni. Regarding Baldoni, Sklenar told People, “He was fantastic. To be honest, he did an exceptional job juggling roles as both the main actor in the film, director, and producer. The entire crew he put together was simply remarkable. I must say, everyone involved in this project was at their best. It was a delightful atmosphere to work in.”

Speaking of Lively, Sklenar praised her versatility by saying she effortlessly handles multiple roles. To put it simply, he can’t stop admiring her, and he often finds himself amazed by her incredible strength as a woman.

The It Ends With Us Drama: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni & Feud Rumors

Was Ryan Reynolds involved in making It Ends With Us?

Indeed, it appears so. Lively, who is married to her partner of 12 years and has four children with him, recently disclosed the role her husband played in the creation of “It Ends With Us.”

“His gift is levity,” the Jane the Virgin alum added, “and her gift is levity.”

What has been said about how the topic of domestic violence was handled in It Ends With Us?

During an interview, Baldoni addressed the criticism that his film romanticized domestic violence. He acknowledged the validity of such opinions, explaining, “Given our current culture, it’s understandable why people might feel that way.” He went on to say, “In a world where we’re constantly vying for attention and living in an era of clickbait, it’s easy to see why some might perceive the film as glorifying violence.”

In various interviews and through their social media platforms, both Baldoni and Lively have addressed the issue of domestic violence. Yet, certain followers have noticed differences in how they discuss it, when they choose to talk about it, and its frequency compared to other topics during press tours. Some even suggested that Baldoni talked more about this topic than Lively. In response to criticism or comments about her responses, as well as claims that Baldoni spoke more about the issue, Sony Pictures Entertainment defended Lively.

According to Tony Vinciquerra, the studio’s CEO, Blake, Colleen, and numerous other women have poured a tremendous amount of dedication into creating this exceptional film, prioritizing sensitivity from the outset in addressing such a crucial topic. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter on Aug. 14, audiences are captivated by the movie. Tony Vinciquerra praises Blake for her fervor and dedication towards furthering discussions about domestic violence, expressing admiration for her work. Moreover, he shares that the studio is eager to collaborate with Blake on a dozen more films.

What does Hoover think of the film adaptation of her book?

“Personally, I find it quite extraordinary to see how my story has been brought to life on the big screen. While I can differentiate between the book and the movie as two distinct entities, I must admit that the filmmakers have done an exceptional job in condensing my book into a compelling cinematic experience. I’m proud of this adaptation and eager for readers to witness it.”

Read More

2024-08-17 15:18