The journey from page to screen for Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, It Ends With Us, has been nothing short of extraordinary. The film undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the hearts of audiences and made waves both in theaters and on social media.
But the path to success was a bit wobbly, with backlash against the lead actress, criticism of promotional material, and the mismanagement of delicate issues. Recently, there’s been a whisper of a potential sequel in the wind, but will it ever manifest?
Feud Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Casts Doubt on Sequel
During the film’s promotion, fans sensed tension between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, which still seems to be in full effect, leaving little hope for the possibility of a sequel. According to sources, it seems unlikely that the two actors will be working together on a project again.
This is uncharted territory, and nobody has any idea what a sequel could look like. There’s probably no world where these two will work together again.
The discord between the two began during the production of It Ends With Us and escalated at the New York premiere, where Baldoni remained absent from photos and did not join the cast. Baldoni’s studio owns the rights to both the movie and its sequel, giving him more control over the fate of the film, but his strained relationship with Lively could put an end to the anticipated duo-logy.
However, it’s not uncommon for people to prioritize business over personal feelings, so maybe after the dust settles, we will see them sharing the screen again.
Box Office Success vs. Uncertain Future: Will We Ever See the Sequel?
Despite the off-screen drama, It Ends With Us grossed over $242 million worldwide, with a budget of only $25 million. These impressive figures could urge the production companies to push for a sequel. Moreover, it’s quite common to capitalize on an already popular film by releasing a reboot or sequel.
It Starts With Us is the sequel novel, so the source material is already available, providing the creators with a ready-made continuation of the story. Fans are also eager to see how the lives of the characters evolve, and the hype around the film on TikTok and Instagram is unreal.
Sony could potentially distribute a sequel, but not without Baldoni’s involvement, as he already controls the rights. The timeline for releasing the movie should also be appropriate—no more than two to three years, according to experts.
As of now, the future of the It Ends With Us series hangs by a thread, caught between its box-office success and the feud between its stars. Fans are hoping to see the sequel on the big screen, and given that nothing is certain in Hollywood, money and time could heal the wounds.
It Ends With US is currently in theatres.
