Colleen Hoover fans will be on cloud nine after Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us, based on the author’s work, has become a theatrical success. While the film is a clear winner at the box office, it is also gaining attention for a reported feud between Lively and co-star Justin Baldoni. One latest update proves that the feud could be bigger than fans ever imagined.
Baldoni, who also serves as the director of the film, has hired the help of a PR crisis manager. The actor was largely absent from the promotional campaign of the film. He also did not pose for any photos with Lively during the premiere of the film nor did he interact much with the rest of the cast.
Justin Baldoni Brings In Johnny Depp’s PR Crisis Manager After Alleged Rift With Co-Stars
Ever since It Ends With Us premiered last week, fans have been finding clues about how stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni allegedly didn’t see eye to eye. However, the latest move from Baldoni almost confirms that something is amiss between the cast of the new film.
According to THR, Baldoni has hired PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan. Nathan’s The Agency Group earlier did PR work for Johnny Depp during the Amber Heard trial. Fans began noticing the alleged issue when Baldoni appeared on the red carpet of the film’s New York premiere along with his wife Emily Baldoni, and did not pose for photos with Lively (via USA Today).
The Green Lantern actress posed with other cast members like Brandon Sklenar and Jenny Slate. Moreover, Hoover and Lively follow each other on Instagram, but neither of them nor the cast members follow Baldoni. The actor was also the subject of some negative press which accused the actor of making Lively uncomfortable on set.
Fans find the whole ordeal similar to Don’t Worry Darling, where many speculated an alleged feud between Florence Pugh and Olivia Wilde. Others shared that hiring someone who represented Johnny Depp was a clear sign that something serious was going on with the film. Some of the fan reactions read:
This press reminded me of Don't Worry Darling
— pana (@xxseasighs) August 14, 2024
Bro knows what he’s doing
— Jesse (@Jesse_2O19) August 14, 2024
Him hiring someone who represented Johnny Depp certainly raises eyebrows.
— Nick Da Silva (@NJD316) August 14, 2024
Is it really that much of a crisis? Perhaps there’s more to it..
— Avacado Green Ajah (@IsaacToafa) August 14, 2024
I don’t think how Blake handled the movie press was cool, but I get her message that Lilly is a strong girl who learns to not be defined by her abuse. Her pr wasn’t the best. However I have always been on her and the cast side for whatever reason they iced him out for.
— saftey scissors (@GinaNT0nic) August 14, 2024
The film explores Lively’s Lily Bloom who moves to Boston to start a new life and meets Baldoni’s Ryle Kincaid. However, the relationship takes a turn for the worst, at which point Lily’s first love Atlas Corrigan also enters the picture, a role played by Brandon Sklenar.
Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us Is A Commercial Success Despite Its Mixed Reviews
Colleen Hoover fans are reportedly flocking to theaters to see the film. According to THR, the film has grossed $50 million domestically and $80 million worldwide. It is a pretty great achievement, considering the film’s modest $25 million budget. It managed to beat its prime competition this week, Borderlands.
However, the reviews of the film are an entirely different story. According to Rotten Tomatoes, Lively’s film has a 58% rotten rating from 139 reviews. The website consensus also criticized the “clunky” dialogue in the film but takes a dig at Hoover by stating that the film was more graceful than the book.
However, 2500+ verified audience members (of which a majority might be Hoover’s fans) are currently vouching for the film, with a 93% audience score on the site.
It Ends with Us is currently running in theaters.
