Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni starrer It Ends With Us has been a resounding success in theaters and has already crossed $200 million in collection. However, Colleen Hoover fans would be disappointed to learn that a sequel to the film appears slim after the two lead actors’ alleged feud. Hoover’s sequel novel, It Starts With Us, was another best-seller in the U.S.
Ever since It Ends With Us hit theaters, the film’s lead stars have been slammed with several accusations online. Lively’s tone-deaf promotions for the film posed a big problem for the film dealing with domestic violence themes. On the other hand, Baldoni has been accused of making the workplace difficult for his co-stars.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively May Not Reunite For It Ends With Us Sequel
It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover‘s best-selling novel, was a huge hit among the audience even after a release following Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine. The film continues to hold third place at the box office behind the Marvel film and Alien: Romulus, with a total collection of $210.5 million (via THR).
If it was any other film, the studio would already be announcing a sequel. Hoover has successfully followed up the story of It Ends With Us with It Starts With Us. However, the issues between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively have made the sequel film a distant dream. The brewing controversy is not likely going away any soon as many details of the issue are not made public.
Lively’s character Lily Bloom and Baldoni’s Ryle Kincaid appear in It Starts With Us, meaning the two actors will have to work together once again. According to THR, Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios holds the film rights to Hoover’s sequel novel. Baldoni founded the studio along with billionaire Steve Sarowitz and Jamey Heath serves as the current CEO.
Interestingly, Sony, who has the distribution rights for the film, has high regard for Lively as the chair of the studio expressed interest in doing “12 more movies with her” (via E! Online). Even if they decided to recast Baldoni and replace him as the director, they still have a problem with the actor holding the rights.
Despite the ongoing issues, the film’s performance seems unfazed by it. It could mean that the audience loved the film and wanted more of Hoover’s content. Fans will have to wait to see how the alleged feud pans out and whether the actors would put aside their differences for a sequel.
Justin Baldoni Recently Hired A PR Crisis Manager After The Alleged Rift
Fans began noticing the issues when Blake Lively did not pose for photos with Baldoni on the red carpet of the film’s New York premiere. Lively 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.
Reports emerged that Baldoni made co-stars uncomfortable on set. The accusations seem to have forced Baldoni to hire a PR crisis manager. According to THR, Baldoni hired Melissa Nathan, who earlier did PR work for Johnny Depp during the Amber Heard trial.
Fans turned against Lively after her tone-deaf promotions, where she gave off the vibe of a lighthearted rom-com for a film dealing with domestic abuse. She also received flak for promoting her beverage and hair-care line of products. She was also criticized for allegedly interfering with Baldoni’s creative process and even including her husband Ryan Reynolds in the film.
It Ends With Us is currently running in theaters.
