As a seasoned gamer of life experiences, I’ve witnessed my fair share of behind-the-scenes drama in various industries, and the saga surrounding “It Ends With Us” is no exception. Having grown up on a steady diet of Hollywood tales, I can’t help but draw parallels between this real-life spectacle and the soap operas that often grace our television screens.
Last month, I hopped over to Dallas for Colleen Hoover’s Book Bonanza event, eagerly awaiting a Q&A session with Blake Lively. The big day was August, and the book in question was “It Ends With Us”. To my surprise, during the event, Blake dropped an exciting bombshell – we, the 2,000 attendees, would get to screen a sneak peek of the movie adaptation the very next night!
Showing the movie, which was the first adaptation of one of Hoover’s bestselling novels, turned out to be a brilliant marketing move on Sony’s part. They acquired the rights to distribute the movie from Wayfarer Studios, with Justin Baldoni, who is not only the co-founder but also the director and leading actor in the film, taking charge.
“According to Josh Greenstein, an experienced marketing professional who holds the position of President at Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, Colleen Hoover’s Book Bonanza ignited the initial flame that led to a significant cultural shift, which was supported by her dedicated fan base,” suggests a simpler and more natural rephrasing.
Although Baldoni was missing at the Dallas event, the version of the film screened that evening was the raw edit favored by Lively.
As the movie debuted on August 9th, a harsh conflict broke out on TikTok and various social networking sites between Baldoni and Lively. While some attacked Lively, there were reports that cast and crew members, including Lively herself, felt uneasy about Baldoni’s conduct on set.
The divide between Baldoni and his co-stars, Lively, Hoover, and others, became apparent when he was absent from all cast group photos at the New York premiere, with many of them also unfollowing him on Instagram. Following this, he did not attend the U.K. premiere, choosing instead to make several appearances on CBS Mornings and the Today show in New York. In the past few days, Baldoni has employed Melissa Nathan, a crisis communications expert, to help manage any potential issues that may arise.
In “It Ends With Us,” Lively plays the role of Lily Bloom, a woman who bravely moves past her harrowing childhood, marked by her father’s abuse of her mother, to start anew in Boston and realize her dream of opening her own business. An unexpected encounter with the charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni) ignites a powerful connection between them. As they grow increasingly close, Lily starts noticing aspects of Ryle that echo her parents’ relationship. When Lily’s former lover, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), unexpectedly returns, her bond with Ryle is thrown into turmoil. Faced with this impossible dilemma, Lily comes to understand that she must rely on her inner strength to make a difficult decision about her future.
Sony’s marketing strategy for “It Ends With Us” mirrored Hoover’s original vision by emphasizing that the book isn’t about victimhood, but rather about redemption. It delves into themes of love, entrepreneurship, friendship, and family, all while addressing pain and trauma. As one individual involved in the film’s release explained, “Lily is both a survivor and a victim, yet she is more than these labels as she controls her own identity and narrative. These topics were crucial to the campaign.”
At the New York premiere on August 6th, Lively expressed similar thoughts when asked about her message for survivors who might relate to their own traumas depicted in the film. She emphasized, “I believe that, while it’s important not to trivialize it, you are so much more than just a survivor or a victim. Although that experience is significant, you are a complex individual, and someone else’s actions towards you do not define your identity. Instead, it’s your own choices and experiences that shape who you are.” This sentiment has been consistent in Hoover’s book as well.
Sony is fully in sync with Lively.
Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman-CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, praised Blake and Colleen, along with numerous other women, for the immense dedication they brought to this extraordinary film. From the outset, they worked tirelessly to sensitively tackle a significant topic. The movie has resonated deeply with audiences. Vinciquerra acknowledged Blake’s fervor in fostering dialogue about domestic violence, expressing admiration for her efforts. He further stated that Sony Pictures enjoys collaborating with Blake and is eager to produce 12 more films with her.
Baldoni has openly expressed his reasons for wanting this narrative transformed onto the silver screen. In an earlier conversation with THR, he stated, “This story holds the potential to truly matter, it could potentially save lives.” He also emphasized that the sensitive subject of domestic violence required thoughtful handling during the adaptation process.
Over the weekend, the blockbuster movie I was gaming on, fueled by women’s power, raked in a staggering $50 million at the North American box office! It almost matched the earnings of Deadpool and Wolverine, starring my buddy Ryan Reynolds, during their third week. That’s some impressive company to keep, if you ask me!
On Monday and Tuesday, “It Ends With Us” surpassed “Deadpool” to become the highest-grossing film domestically for a five-day total of approximately $64 million. This is an impressive figure considering the movie was made with only $25 million. Worldwide, it has earned over $30 million in its opening week, suggesting it has already surpassed the $100 million mark.
According to various sources, there appears to have been a disagreement between Baldoni and Lively during the post-production phase. This conflict led to two distinct versions of the movie being produced. It’s reported that Lively requested a cut of the film from editor Shane Reid, who has worked on projects such as Deadpool and Wolverine in the past.
On the first day of the film’s premiere, Baldoni was inquired about potentially directing the novel adaption of Hoover’s sequel “It Starts With Us“. He opined that Lively could perhaps be the most fitting choice for the task.
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2024-08-15 05:25