Speculations of something fishy between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni arose at the premieres of their film It Ends With Us in New York and Europe. It was initially thought to be a marketing strategy between Lively and Baldoni as the two did not pose together or interact at the premiere. However, reports from anonymous sources of trouble on the film’s set indicate that there was definitely a rift between the co-stars. Here are details of the film’s press tour drama.
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Theories involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
Lively posed with Ryan Reynolds and other members of the film’s cast, while Baldoni stood next to her during the premiere. The two did not appear for promotional interviews together nor were they photographed. Fans initially speculated the distance was part of the film’s marketing campaign as both actors’ characters in the film are involved in domestic violence. The theory was that they were keeping their distance to avoid people romanticizing their onscreen abusive relationship. However, the theory debunked after several cast members and Colleen Hoover unfollowed Baldoni on social media.
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Was Ryan Reynolds responsible for the rift?
It Ends With Us is directed by Baldoni and he secured the rights for the film adaptation in 2019 and Lively was later signed on to the film. She also joined the film as an executive producer. Press tour interviews revealed that there were creative differences on set. When Baldoni was asked about his return to direct the sequel, he told Entertainment Tonight, “I think Blake Lively is ready to direct. That’s how I feel.”
Speculation that Reynolds was the cause of the rift arose when Lively revealed his interference in the film’s script. She revealed in an interview with E! Online, “The iconic rooftop scene in this movie, my husband wrote it. Nobody knows.” She also commissioned a cut of the film from film editor Shane Reed, who also worked with Reynolds on Deadpool and Wolverine.
The film’s screenwriter, Christy Hall, revealed that she was not aware of any changes to the script and thought the actors were improvising, reports The New York Times.
Netizens criticised the film’s marketing for downplaying domestic violence
Lively promoted her new haircare brand, Floral Prints, and answered questions about abuse in interviews. On the film’s official page on TikTok, she said, “Grab your friends, put on your floral clothes and get out to see this.” Some users criticized her light approach to a film about domestic abuse. One of many who mocked the promotional strategy, @hiremeimfunny, stood out and posted a series of posts titled, “If other movies were promoted like ‘It Ends With Us’.”
However Baldoni’s promotional activities were applauded, as he said in an interview on the red carpet, “If Lily Bloom in real life could sit in this theater, and make a different choice for herself than the one that was built for her, maybe she sees herself on that screen and chooses something different for herself.” His company, Wayfarer Studios, partnered with the No More Foundation to provide resources about abuse.
