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It’s safe to say book-to-screen adaption It Ends With Us was one of the more divisive films of 2024. The film, which is based on Colleen Hoover’s 2012 book of the same name has been at the centre of controversy ever since it was announced, with fans finding faults with the casting, the costume and even the promotion tactics – and now it seems fans on TikTok believe the drama may be spilling into cast relationships.
Most of the controversies come as no surprise. When book adaptions make their way to the big screen it’s usual for fans of the original text to find fault with the smallest of details.
And whilst we did expect fans to complain about inconsistencies between the book and movie – we didn’t expect the latest rumours swirling online about leading co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
What happened with the It Ends With Us cast?
At this stage, It Ends With Us stars Blake and Justin have not responded to the feud rumours, which started after The Hollywood Reporter spoke to sources who reported that there had been “a fracture among the filmmakers in the postproduction process.”
The publication explained that whilst it’s not uncommon for a film to have multiple edits made, Blake, who is also the co-executive producer, did commission a cut of the movie from Shane Reid, an editor she and Taylor Swift previously worked with on a music video.
Blake also revealed in an interview with E! that her husband Ryan Reynolds jumped in to help write a scene of the movie. Ryan, who is currently promoting his film Deadpool and Wolverine, was also heavily involved in the promotion of It Ends With Us alongside his wife, appearing on red carpets and taking part in press junkets.
Do Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively get along?
Internet sleuths have also pointed out that none of the cast members follow Justin Baldoni on Instagram, leading many to suspect the cast may not be close. Justin, who is the director of the film in addition to playing one of Blake’s onscreen partners Ryle, has also not appeared in any red carpet photos with Lively or the rest of the cast – instead opting to walk the carpet alone or with his wife.
Although Justin has spoken highly of Blake and Ryan, telling Today, “You can’t summarize Blake’s contribution in a sentence because her energy and imprint is all over the movie and really, really made the film better, and from beginning to end. Ryan (Reynolds) was so generous… he’s a creative genius… His gift is levity, and her gift is levity,” he did confirm he would not be returning to direct a potential sequel.
“I think there are better people for that one. I think Blake Lively is ready to direct, ” he told Entertainment Tonight.
Why is the movie It Ends With Us controversial?
Rumours of a fractured cast aren’t the only headlines about the new film. It Ends With Us has also been criticised for the book-to-screen inconsistencies and Blake Lively’s wardrobe choices.
As the cast began promoting the flick, Blake was also criticised for her light-hearted approach to the movie’s promotion since the film deals with themes of domestic violence.
Blake has also used the film’s press tour to promote her company Betty Buzz, her new haircare line and her husband’s Aviation Gin.
Her approach is remarkably different to Justin, who has used his promotional tour as a chance to speak out on Domestic Violence.
“No matter how much research, or how many women I talk to, or how much I try to empathize or even get into the mind and heart of my wife, I’ll never be able to understand what that experience is like. I knew that going in,” he previously told TheWrap. “The only way that I was going to be able to direct this movie was if I had the support that I needed to make sure that I could put myself in a position to get it right,” he added before revealing he had worked with advocacy group Now More in a consulting partnership in the making of the movie.
“Not being worried about glorifying the violence or romanticizing abuse because I also was learning every day from the organization and from survivors about why this is so important and why telling the story in a certain way is so important.”
What does Brandon Sklenar think?
At this stage, Brandon Sklenar is the only cast member to directly respond to the “stuff swirling online.”
The actor, who plays Atlas Corrigan in the film hit back at the online discourse, telling fans; “Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about. It is, in fact, the opposite of the point.”
“What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film,” he added. “It’s disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.”
