Ever since the highly awaited film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s book came out, fans couldn’t help but notice the cast promoting the film in separate ways. While Blake Lively has been going all out in florals and fancy rings, Justin Baldoni has maintained a more subtle demeanour and has been promoting the film alone.
Soon after, reports ensued that there was an alleged conflict between the stars who worked on the film, mostly over creative differences and an unexpected participation from Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds. Here’s everything you need to know about the drama surrounding the cast, and whose side fans have been picking.
Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Took Different Approaches While Promoting ‘It Ends With Us’
If you’ve been following Blake Lively’s promo events, you must have noticed her in gorgeous florals and going all out, dressing up, while also insisting fans to dress up for the film. This wasn’t received well by fans who have constantly pointed out that ‘It Ends With Us’ is a movie about domestic violence and Blake Lively’s approach to promoting the film is tone-deaf and insensitive.
She has also been promoting her hair care brand side by side, enraging many fans who think she’s digressing from important conversations that she could use to spread awareness about domestic violence. Fans allege that she has instead hogged the limelight and brought the focus to herself.
In contrast, Justin Baldoni, is promoting the film mostly alone and has constantly spoken up about why he needed to make this film while also spreading awareness about domestic violence.
During a red carpet event, Baldoni said, “If a Lily Bloom in real life can sit in this theater, and make a different choice for herself than the one that was made for her, maybe she sees herself on that screen and chooses something different for herself.”
In Case You Missed It: Blake Lively Reportedly Felt Uneasy And Fat-Shamed While Filming Intimate ‘It Ends With Us’ Scenes With Justin Baldoni
What’s The Feud Between Justin Baldoni And Blake Lively About?
Images of Justin Baldoni alone at a premiere raised suspicions of a conflict between the two. According to reports, Baldoni was unfollowed on social media by a number of the cast members, including Colleen Hoover.
It was later revealed that the feud included Blake Lively feeling uncomfortable due to some of Baldoni’s actions. Baldoni allegedly “fat-shamed” her and made a certain kissing scene last too long, even though she had recently given birth to her fourth child at the time before the filming began.
Though none of the stars have spoken up on this, this does seem like the opening to a very apparent feud they’re having in public. Soon after, more details emerged, particularly about their creative differences in the film.
In Case You Missed It: “You Should Be Ashamed Girl”: Blake Lively Faces Backlash For The Way She’s Promoting ‘It Ends With Us’
Did Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Have Creative Differences?
The Hollywood Reporter claims that there were significant creative differences on between the lead actors, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni on the sets of ‘It Ends With Us‘. Lively produced the movie while Baldoni directed it.
According to a second source, Lively hired editor Shane Reid, who previously worked on Hugh Jackman and husband Ryan Reynolds’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, to delete a scene from the film. A big example of this was when Lively talked about using Lana Del Rey’s song ‘Cherry’ in the film despite being asked not to.
Speaking to Hits Radio UK, she said, “They begged me to take it out of the movie. … I’m not supposed to be talking about this.”
Hollywood Reporter has also reported that there “was a fracture among the filmmakers in the post-production process, wherein two different cuts of the movie emerged,” also adding that Blake “wants to direct the next movie, sidelining him and securing the rights from Colleen.”
Baldoni has also talked about giving the direction crown to Lively for the sequel, as a response to a question on if a sequel is coming he said, “I think that there are better people for that one. I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct. That’s what I think.”
In Case You Missed It: What Happens To Lily, Ryle And Atlas In ‘It Ends With Us’ Sequel ‘It Starts With Us’?
How Ryan Reynolds’ Interference Added Fuel To The Fire
Ryan Reynolds’ inclusion in the film’s creative process further exacerbated the drama. Sources said that the actor jumping in as a writer for the famous rooftop scene wasn’t taken well by Justin Baldoni.
Blake Lively talked about the scene and said, “The iconic rooftop scene, my husband actually wrote it. Nobody knows that but you now. But he wrote it. He works on everything I do. I work on everything he does. So his wins, his celebrations are mine and mine are his.”
Baldoni, however, wasn’t too happy about this. A source told Daily Mail that Ryan “jumped in to help the film from disaster. Ryan has every right to stick up for his wife especially when it comes to a project she is so passionate about. Ryan knew when he saw the script that it needed help. Together with Blake, they made sure that it was not only brilliant but reflective of what this story is about.”
They added, “Ryan didn’t want this to fail for anyone, especially his wife. It was nothing against Justin [Baldoni], but Justin took it personally and it is not Ryan’s fault, nor does he have any apology to give. He got nothing out of this, he didn’t want any credit. He just wanted to see Blake’s first big break back into the business succeed.”
In Case You Missed It: “There Was Just No One But Her”: Blake Lively Talks About Isabela Ferrer Playing Her Younger Version In ‘It Ends With Us’
Justin Baldoni Is Now Hiring Crisis Control
Sources report that the cast had a hard time working with Justin Baldoni on the film, as the actor was borderline violent on set. “All is not what it seems,” a source told People. “There is much more to this story. The principal cast and [author] Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with him.”
In addition to all of this, Baldoni has now hired veteran PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan. After almost ten years working with renowned crisis strategist Matthew Hiltzik, Nathan founded The Agency Group earlier this summer. Her company focuses on providing digital team services, crisis management, reputation management, personal PR, and communications to the entertainment sector. She previously worked with Johnny Depp, whom she had defended during the Amber Heard trial.
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