Justin Baldoni, filmmaker and star in the recently released adaption ofIt Ends With Us,has now hired a crisis PR team afterspeculation of a tumultuous relationship between him and lead actressBlake Lively. As per a report byDeadline, Baldoni has hired PR vet Melissa Nathan of The Agency Group as rumors continue to circulate around social media about issues between him and Lively. Nathan is a prominent figure in her field, previously working with Matthew Hiltzik, a Gotham-based PR vet,and previously represented Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp during the Amber Heard trial.
The controversy comes after internet fans, specifically on TikTok,alluded to afight between Lively and Baldoniduring filming. Fans have noticed a number of things, such as the fact that Baldoni and Lively, the two stars of the film, were not pictured together at the August 6 NYC premiere, and that Lively doesn’t follow Baldoni on social media. Sources close to the film have since added that the duo did not get along. In a recent interview withET, Baldoni added more fuel to the fire, coming across as somewhat passive-aggressive when saying that Lively is “ready to direct” any potentialIt Ends With Ussequel.
It Ends With Us
Based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, It Ends With Us is a drama-romance film directed by Justin Baldoni. The film follows a recent college graduate named Lily, who meets a man named Ryle and falls in love with him. However, a traumatic incident compounded with her former high-school sweetheart re-entering her life complicates her plans.
There has also been speculation regarding Lively’s role in the marketing of the film, as well as her and husband Ryan Reynolds' contributions to the script. Cast members have also stated that Lively wasuncomfortable during some of the films' scenes.The cast and crew is seemingly split between both sides, but Baldoni’s hiring of the PR guru is likely to now give him a platform to speak on the issues.
It Ends With Us Has Faced Several Controversies
It Ends With Usis an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel of the same name, which drew a resurgence of popularity thanks to TikTok. The story follows Lily Bloom (Lively) chasing her dream of operating her own business, a chance encounter with Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni) and their romantic journey. After Lily comes across her former lover, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), she begins to recognize a disturbing, darker side to Ryle.
It Ends With Us Made a Few Significant Changes From the Book (And That’s a Good Thing)
The controversial It Ends With Us novel has made it to the big screen, and audiences might finally see the changes they’ve wanted.
Despite thecontroversy that surrounded Hoover’s book, the film was picked up by Baldon and co-financed by Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios and Sony on a $25M production. The film opened to a solid $50M opening last weekend, falling short ofDeadpool & Wolverine,which claimed its third week on top of the box office. Nevertheless,It Ends With Usmassivelyoutdid the $15M projection that was set before its release.
Hoover has garnered a fanbase, selling approximately 20 million books. The sequel,ItStarts With Us,was published in October 2022, and rumors of that film adaptation have since begun. Hoovers' next adaptation is her 2019 novelRegretting You, which has recentlycast McKenna Grace in the lead role.
It Ends With Usis out now in theaters.
