Justin Baldoni recently expressed his readiness to pass the torch to Blake Lively for the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's 2022 sequel novel, 'It Ends With Us.' At the premiere of the movie, Baldoni mentioned that he believes Lively would be better suited to direct the adaptation, indicating that she is prepared to take on a directorial role.
Rumors of creative differences between the co-stars surfaced, with reports suggesting a fracture among the filmmakers during the postproduction process. This divide allegedly led to the creation of two distinct cuts of the film, one of which was reportedly overseen by Lively, who also served as a producer on the project. Despite these challenges, the final cut of the movie was agreed upon by both actors.
Speculation about a potential rift between Baldoni and Lively arose when Baldoni was absent from cast press events and group red carpet photos. Notably, the two main stars have not been photographed together at global premieres, and social media interactions have also raised eyebrows.
In an interview, Baldoni acknowledged the complexities of starring in and directing a film, describing it as an 'extreme challenge.' He emphasized the collaborative nature of filmmaking and credited Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for their contributions to enhancing the movie.
Baldoni and Lively portray the characters Ryle Kincaid and Lily Bloom in the film, based on Hoover's novel. The storyline delves into a seemingly idyllic romance that takes a dark turn when Kincaid's abusive behavior is revealed.
During the premiere, Baldoni emphasized that the movie was made for women, hoping to empower viewers to make different choices in their own lives. He highlighted the importance of portraying complex relationships on screen and the impact it can have on audiences.