The film by Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, It ends with usis causing a stir not only in cinemas, but also on social media. The casting controversy alongside the discussion about book vs. film is increasing the hype about It ends with us.

Based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 best-selling novel of the same name, the film centers on Lily Blossom Bloom (Lively), who falls in love with a charming neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni). While living her seemingly perfect life, she reunites with her childhood sweetheart Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar).

(Trigger warning: This article mentions domestic violence, which some readers may find disturbing.)

Justin Baldoni starred, produced and directed It ends with us alongside Blake Lively as co-producer. Baldoni acquired the film rights to Hoover in 2019. The film depicts the clandestine nature of domestic violence and how it painfully perpetuates across generations. However, the film’s pompous and fluffy marketing might fool you.

From the alleged exclusion of Baldoni from promotions to Lively annoying fans of the book with the launch of her hair care brand, the advertising strategy of It ends with us The film adaptation caused quite a bit of controversy.

All about the controversy surrounding the film “It Ends With Us”

The drama began when the cast of “It Ends With Us” reportedly excluded Justin Baldoni

Make way, Sherlock Holmes, the great detectives of the Internet may have put an end to the controversy surrounding It ends with us The cast of the film. With their flawless deduction skills and the power they gained from their years of obsession with Colleen Hoover’s fictional characters, fans felt Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s difficult relationship off-screen.

It all started at the premiere in New York City on August 6, 2024, when fans noticed that the cast of It ends with us was incomplete. Lively was accompanied by her husband Ryan Reynolds and her co-stars Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar.

Interestingly, Hugh Jackman, Reynolds Deadpool and Wolverine His co-star also attended the press conference.

However, the film’s director and star, Baldoni, was missing from the action. The actor, who is also known for his role as Rafael Solano in Jane, the Virgin (2015), was spotted with his wife Emily Baldoni and other friends and relatives. He was never seen with the rest of the cast on the red carpet for promotional events. In addition, Justin Baldoni was also absent from joint interviews with the It ends with us Actor.

It didn’t take long for fans to add to the drama when Jenny Slate – who plays Lively’s best friend Allysa on screen – revealed in an interview with Deadline when asked about her experience working with Baldoni as a director. “I mean, what an intense job! Having to do so many things,” she replied, without even mentioning him once.

Jenny Slate on working with Justin Baldoni, who served the actress as both a scene partner and director #ItEndsWithUsFilm pic.twitter.com/c77v83OgzB

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) 7 August 2024

As the green flag that he is, Sklena spoke positively about Baldoni in an interview with People Magazine. He said: “The whole crew he put together was just incredible.”

However, Lively and Hoover unfollowed Baldoni on Instagram – further inflaming the atmosphere. It ends with us Film controversy.

Did Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively take over “It Ends With Us”?

During an interview with E! NewsLively revealed Reynolds’ involvement in the film. “The iconic rooftop scene was actually written by my husband. He works on everything I do. I work on everything he does. So his victories and his celebrations are mine and mine are his. I mean, he’s all over this movie,” she revealed.

Although on any other day this would have earned them an extra point in the “couple goals” category, in this case fans expressed fear that Reynolds and Lively would violently interfere in the production of the film and rob Baldoni of his creative freedom as director.

Baldoni’s cryptic comments about Lively further fueled speculation

Amidst rumors that Lively might boldly abandon the production of It ends with usBaldoni’s remark about the sequel added fuel to the fire. In an interview with Entertainment tonightDuring the film’s premiere in New York City, Baldoni stated, “I think Blake Lively is ready to direct, that’s my opinion.”

After the great success of her book It ends with usHoover published the sequel, It plays the main role for usin October 2022. The second part of the novel revolves around the relationship between Lily and Atlas. Fans are waiting for confirmation of the sequel.

Afterwards, during his Show today Baldoni continued to praise Lively, saying, “She was involved in every part of this production and made everything she touched better.”

“Everything she touched made her better.”

Justin Baldoni talks about what it was like working with Blake Lively on her new film. @ItEndsWithUs. pic.twitter.com/EYxlzU4OTL

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) 8 August 2024

Fans of the book seem to be upset with Lively

One of the biggest annoyances for avid fiction readers is when their favorite novel is made into a movie. Hoover’s It ends with us is no exception. From the film’s misleading packaging to the casting, It ends with us Book lovers are upset about the film adaptation. The monotonous narration, coupled with disappointing interpretations of some important scenes in the film, has disappointed the fans.

Since Blake’s promotional strategy and her take on the story make her appear as a “villain,” the entire fanbase is on his side after Baldoni’s interviews. Many believe that the director handled the film’s subject matter sensitively and the way it should be.

In several interviews, Baldoni stressed that the way intimate scenes were shot had a female gaze, which sometimes forced him as a director to take a back seat. However, the star always steered the conversation toward raising awareness about domestic violence, which delighted fans of the book.

In addition, fans also pointed out Baldoni’s activism to promote healthy masculinity, which was also reflected in his approach to his It ends with us character. He has also spoken out about men’s problems in his works, such as in the TEDWomen Talk 2017 entitled Why I am no longer “man” enough2021 Memoirs Man Enough: Canceling My Masculinity followed by The man enough Podcast and the 2022 guide entitled Boys will be people.

Although some fans share Lively’s opinion of Lily, some pointed out that her “toxic positivity” distracted from raising awareness about domestic violence.

In an interview with BBCLively explained her perspective of It ends with usShe said: “The important thing about this film is that she is not just a survivor and she is not just a victim. While these are big things, they do not define her identity. She is not defined by something that someone else has done to her. She defines herself and it is deeply empowering to remind people that no one else can define you.”

“We really feel like we’ve delivered a story that is emotional, and it’s fun, and it’s painful, and it’s scary, and it’s tragic, and it’s inspiring, and that’s life,” the actress explained when talking about her approach to the film.

A majority of fans believe that the gossip Girl The actress deliberately ignored gender-based violence, which is at the heart of the plot. Many also criticized her for using It ends with us as a brand building exercise for their newly launched line of hair care products called Blake Brown.

This is how the Internet reacts to the controversy surrounding the film “It Ends With Us”

It’s crazy that out of everyone in the cast, he was the only one who took the initiative to talk about the domestic violence aspect of the film. While Blake Lively… promotes her brand https://t.co/hh84bLZYOv

— ˖ ݁ ˖ (@tinybookclub_) 8 August 2024

Blake Lively forgets that her character is a victim of domestic violence and instead tries to give all the press a silly, goofy Barbie moment, while Justin Baldoni uses his press time to talk about the importance of breaking the cycle of violence, so I’m always on his side.

— Kelsey (@kel485) 8 August 2024

I will never understand why most people see romance and cuteness in It Ends With Us. The only reaction the book evoked in me was anger.

— Soma (@soma_Okoro) 12 August 2024

the fact that people actually believe Blake Lively thought it ends with us earned her an Oscar nomination instead of a funny lead role in a very popular book pic.twitter.com/MAuCKYDhpp

— .  (@afroxbabyyy) 8 August 2024

Anyone who swears that It Ends With Us glorifies abusive relationships has obviously never read it. It’s literally about a woman choosing to be herself and leave her abuser to break the cycle for her daughter.

— MJ ✨ (@steelMEGnolia_) 10 August 2024

just so you know, in case you haven’t read it, It Ends With Us. It’s not a romantic comedy. Don’t grab your girls and flowers. Keep in mind that it’s about domestic violence and there are some provocative scenes. This promo video for this movie is getting on my nerves.

— Vanessa (@vnesswiftie) 10 August 2024

No, because she’s right. Why are they mixing Deadpool and Wolverine with “It Ends With US Press Run”? pic.twitter.com/HGqWUqtqjQ

— . (@feathersmodel) 8 August 2024

(Header and cover image courtesy of: IMDb/It Ends With Us)