The anticipation surrounding the upcoming movie It Ends With Us has been palpable ever since it was announced. Based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover, the film has generated significant buzz, especially with A-list stars like Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni taking on the lead roles. Blake Lively, known for her charismatic performances, portrays Lily Bloom, while Justin Baldoni plays her abusive lover, Ryle Kincaid. Notably, Baldoni is also directing the film, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the project. However, recent rumors suggest that there might be some off-screen drama brewing between the two stars, leading fans to wonder if it could affect the film’s promotion.
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What's the Alleged Drama Between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively?
The speculation about tension between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively first surfaced on Reddit, where eagle-eyed fans noticed something curious: Blake Lively, along with the rest of the main cast and even Colleen Hoover, is no longer following Baldoni on Instagram. This might seem like a small detail, but in the world of social media, unfollowing someone can be a significant move, especially when the individuals involved are supposed to be working closely together.
Adding fuel to the fire, fans noted that Blake Lively hasn’t mentioned Baldoni in her social media posts promoting the movie, despite frequently acknowledging other cast members and key figures involved in the project. Given that Blake is known for her attention to detail and her supportive nature toward her colleagues, this apparent omission has raised eyebrows.
Justin Baldoni's Absence and Speculated Tensions
Compounding the rumors, Baldoni was recently hospitalized due to an infection, which may have kept him from promoting the film as actively as usual. While this explains his temporary absence, it doesn’t fully account for the alleged social media snubs.
TikTok creator Jenna Redfield added more fuel to the fire by sharing photos from the New York City premiere, where Baldoni seemed to be keeping his distance from the rest of the cast. Redfield speculated that the tension might stem from creative differences, particularly involving Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, who are both producers on the film. According to this theory, Lively and Reynolds may have wanted more control over the project, leading to friction with Baldoni.
Another theory floating around is that the rumored tension could be a PR stunt designed to generate more buzz for the movie. While this is plausible, It Ends With Us is already expected to have a strong opening weekend, with industry estimates suggesting it could bring in as much as $35 million. Given these optimistic projections, it seems unlikely that the studio would need to resort to manufactured drama to boost interest.
The Reviews Are In—But What About the Drama?
Despite the swirling rumors, early reviews for the film have been positive. The Guardian praised Blake Lively as "a warm and instinctive performer" with "effective chemistry" alongside Baldoni. The movie has already garnered three-star reviews and is being touted as a must-see, potentially making the off-screen drama even more intriguing for fans.
For now, both Baldoni and Lively have remained tight-lipped about the alleged tension, choosing instead to let the movie speak for itself. Whether there’s any truth to the rumors remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: It Ends With Us is set to make a splash at the box office, and the supposed off-screen drama might just add another layer of intrigue for audiences.
As the film’s release date of August 9, 2024, approaches, fans and critics alike will be watching closely—not just to see how the movie performs, but also to see if any more tea gets spilled. After all, sometimes what happens off-screen can be just as compelling as the story unfolding on it.
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