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The Feud that Could End the Franchise: The It Ends With Us Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Saga
The dramatic feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has been the talk of the town since the release of the hit film It Ends With Us. The $25 million female-focused drama has taken the world by storm, grossing over $180 million worldwide since its release on August 9. With the success of the film and the popularity of Colleen Hoover’s 2022 book, It Starts With Us, a sequel seemed like a no-brainer. However, the ongoing conflict between Lively and Baldoni has cast doubts on the possibility of a sequel with both of them involved.
The tensions between the star-producer Blake Lively and director-star Justin Baldoni have been well-documented, leading many to question whether a sequel with both of them is feasible. Baldoni, who co-founded Wayfarer Studios with millionaire Steve Sarowitz and Jamey Heath, managed to produce It Ends With Us after acquiring the rights from Hoover five years ago. Now, with the rights to the sequel, It Starts With Us, in their possession, Wayfarer has the power to bring Lively and Baldoni back together for another installment.
Despite the success of It Ends With Us, the film was not without its controversies. Social media users uncovered awkward and lighthearted interview moments from Lively, while criticism was directed towards her for promoting her hair-care line in light of the film’s theme of domestic violence. Baldoni, on the other hand, faced allegations of creating a tense set environment that alienated Lively and the rest of the cast. The tensions came to a head during the 2023 writers and actors strike, causing shooting to temporarily halt. Sources reveal that Lively was reluctant to return to filming after the strike, leading to a week of reshoots and a final cut that reflected her vision.
Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, It Ends With Us continued to perform well at the box office, with a significant amount of repeat business indicating that fans were not deterred by the controversy. Sony Pictures Entertainment threw their support behind Lively, with Chair-CEO Tony Vinciquerra expressing their desire to work with her on future projects. However, no mention was made of Baldoni or any potential sequels involving the two stars.
As speculation continues about the fate of a sequel to It Ends With Us, the question remains whether the feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni will end up derailing the franchise. With the success of the first film and the popularity of the source material, fans are eager to see what the future holds for Lily and Ryle in It Starts With Us. Only time will tell if the two stars can put their differences aside and come together for another chapter in this compelling story.
