As a seasoned movie-goer and connoisseur of Hollywood gossip, I can confidently say that the feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has put a damper on the prospects of an “It Ends with Us” sequel. With Lively being the lead character and producer, it seems nearly impossible to move forward without her involvement. However, as we’ve seen in countless Hollywood dramas before, love triangles are not uncommon in Tinseltown. Perhaps a new director could swoop in like a superhero to save the day?
The movie adaptation of “It Ends with Us” has been one of the unexpected blockbusters this summer, but given the recent tension between star/producer Blake Lively and director/star Justin Baldoni, it seems that a sequel is highly improbable. Interestingly, the book on which the film is based does have a sequel titled “It Starts with Us,” which could provide an opportunity for a follow-up to the $242 million global success. However, weeks before the movie’s premiere, whispers of a disagreement between Lively and Baldoni have cast doubt on the possibility of a sequel.
As a devoted fan, I’ve learned from Variety that the tension between Lively and Baldoni is indeed genuine, and it seems the relationship might be too strained for a sequel collaboration. Given Lively’s pivotal role as the lead character and producer of the movie, it’s reasonable to believe she holds significant clout in the project. However, contrary to what one might assume, Baldoni’s character has a less prominent role in the novel, allowing him to potentially step down from directing and take on a smaller part or even be replaced. Yet, things are not as straightforward as they appear. Baldoni and his production company hold the cinematic rights for both “It Ends with Us” and “It Starts with Us,” which could complicate negotiations and potentially hinder the progress of a sequel.
Back in 2019, I, a passionate cinephile, managed to secure the rights for the captivating novel “It Ends with Us” – three years post its initial publication. It didn’t explode into a global TikTok sensation until 2021, so my acquisition was not an option that would expire. Instead, I now hold the cinematic rights indefinitely without needing to renegotiate the deal. As reported by Variety, the chances of us collaborating again seem highly unlikely – “There’s probably no universe where these two creative forces will reunite.”
It Ends at the Box Office
The private issues surrounding the release of “It Ends with Us” have garnered nearly as much attention as the movie itself, sparking audience interest in the film. At the New York premiere on August 6, 2024, it was noticeable that Baldoni did not take photos with the cast or present the movie alongside Lively. Instead, Baldoni handled all press engagements separately while Lively was paired with her co-star, Brandon Sklenar for interviews. Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning that Lively, Colleen Hoover (author of “It Ends with Us”), and several other cast members have stopped following Baldoni on social media.
Ever since the movie was released, additional information has surfaced, yet no definitive explanation has been provided. Even Variety couldn’t obtain specifics regarding the cause of the separation between Lively and director Baldoni. According to reports, Baldoni felt that Lively and her husband and producer Ryan Reynolds were exerting too much control over the project. On the other hand, Lively reportedly felt uneasy around Baldoni, specifically during a lengthy kiss scene and a scene where he was supposed to lift her, which she perceived as body shaming. However, Baldoni allegedly enacted these actions for safety reasons, given his history of back pain and wishing to avoid injury.
Previous sources indicate that Lively and author Colleen Hoover perceived Baldoni as disregarding women’s perspectives on set, which is concerning given the storyline of It Ends with Us revolves around a woman in an abusive relationship. The situation reportedly escalated to such a degree after the film’s release that Baldoni enlisted a crisis management PR team. However, no definitive information has been released about what transpired on the set of It Ends with Us.
The movie titled “It Ends with Us” has proven to be a massive box office sensation. It started strong with a whopping $50 million during its opening weekend and continues to perform exceptionally well at cinemas, amassing a domestic total of $120 million against a production budget of just $25 million. Remarkably, it surpasses other traditional summer blockbusters such as “The Fall Guy” and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga“. Normally, the sequel would be swiftly approved to capitalize on the film’s success; however, this case presents a rift that might prove too difficult to reconcile.
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2024-08-27 23:01