Justin Baldoni Thanks Fans for Supporting 'It Ends With Us' amid Feud Speculation
Justin Baldoni expresses gratitude to fans for the success of It Ends With Us, particularly in light of rumors regarding a feud with co-star Blake Lively. He stated, "I just want to say thank you to all the fans. To everybody. Thank you for seeing this movie, for supporting it, for supporting survivors, and for helping us ensure the message didn't get lost. I’m just so grateful." Baldoni, who directs and stars in the film, shared these sentiments in a TMZ article released on December 10.
The film, inspired by Colleen Hoover’s acclaimed novel, follows Lily Bloom (played by Lively), a survivor of domestic abuse, and her tumultuous relationship with Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni). The narrative intensifies with the return of Lily’s former love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar).
While the movie performed strongly over the summer, speculation about discord between Baldoni and Lively surfaced. Fans noticed Baldoni did not join the cast on the red carpet at the film’s New York City premiere. Ahead of the August 9 release, observers also noted that Lively, Hoover, and main cast members were not following Baldoni on Instagram. Despite being deeply involved, Baldoni preferred solo interviews, avoiding group appearances.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lively, a film producer, created her own version of the movie, edited by Shane Reid, the editor from Deadpool and Wolverine. However, it remains uncertain if her version contributed to the final cut presented to audiences.
During the film's NYC premiere, Baldoni suggested that Lively could direct a sequel based on Hoover’s subsequent book, It Starts With Us. He commented, "I think there are better people for that one. I think Blake Lively is ready to direct. That's what I think."
Baldoni recently shared his emotional experiences while filming It Ends With Us. He revealed that he faced a "near breakdown" due to the intense nature of his role. "It’s a very strange place to be, let alone directing while trying to play a character who does the things Ryle does in the movie. There were moments when I just had to leave," he mentioned on the December 4 episode of Elizabeth Day’s How to Fail podcast. He incorporated somatic therapy techniques, stating, "There were times when I was actually just shaking." Baldoni recounted a pivotal scene where Ryle discovers a phone number linked to jealousy and heartbreak, leading him to nearly have a breakdown afterward.
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