It Ends With Lively

For 158 weeks, or more than 3 full years, It Ends With Us has been a New York Times best-selling novel.
So to say that the film adaptation was highly anticipated would be an understatement.
But, the highly anticipated and universal movie led to drama between cast members, and fans have differentiating views.
It Ends with Us stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
The two had miscommunications about how they wanted the movie to be promoted.
Since the movie’s release date, there has been varying opinions on how it should have been publicized.
Baldoni wanted the film to be promoted in a way that spreads awareness for domestic violence and abuse, while Lively was seemingly focusing on promoting her own products, like her hair care line.
They also argued from the beginning over creative differences.
Rebecca Rubin and Tatiana Siegel, writers from Variety Magazine, said, “It started with rumors about hostility between Baldoni and the rest of the cast after he was not photographed with them at the Aug. 6 New York premiere.”
After this, fans started speculating that there was tension between the two because of how they chose to promote the movie.
Rubin and Siegel said, “Lively has been criticized for the bubbly nature in which she’s promoted a film that tackles dark themes like domestic violence, while Baldoni has hired the crisis firm Tag PR.”
Baldoni wanted it to be known the movie was to help spread awareness about abuse and domestic violence, but Lively used it as an opportunity to advertise her own brands instead.
Mark Travers, writer from Forbes Magazine, said, “She mentioned her new haircare line, her sparkling beverage company and encouraged fans to ‘wear their florals’ to screenings in homage to Lily’s character, who is a florist.”
Although they had their differences with the promotion of the film, they also had their disagreements with leadership roles in directing it.
Rubin and Siegel said, “Her husband Ryan Reynolds wrote a key scene in the final cut of the film.”
Lively and Reynolds went above Baldoni’s head, although he was directing the movie.
Because Lively and Reynolds are good friends with Novelist Colleen Hoover, she sided with their ideas on the film over Baldoni.
Rubin and Siegel said, “Baldoni has suggested that he won’t direct the sequel, telling Entertainment Tonight at the movie’s premiere, “I think there are better people for that. I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct.”
Fans speculate that Baldoni felt pressured to step down for future projects, due to Lively and Renolds using their fame and status to overrule his directions.
Travers said, “The bad blood between the two is very real and may not be salvageable.”
Because of the disrespect from both parties, their relationships in and out of the business industries may never be the same.
After all of the uncleared gossip, people are more focused on the drama between the two cast members, rather than the message they are trying to spread.