“It Ends with Us” Cast Drama Explained: What Is Going on with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?

As 'It Ends With Us' releases in theaters, there have been reports of a rift between cast members Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

It Ends With Us is already creating buzz at the box office — but lately, fans have been curious to know what is going on with the cast.

Amid the film’s promotional tour, there have been rumors of a rift between the major stars, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, who play Lily Bloom and Ryle, respectively. Baldoni also served as the director for the project, while Lively was a producer. Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, secured the rights to the book in 2019 and Lively's casting in the film was announced in January 2023.

Notably, Baldoni has been largely absent from grouped promotional appearances, including at the New York premiere, where he didn’t pose with his costars and didn't introduce the film ahead of the screening. Additionally, Lively, Brandon Sklenar and author Colleen Hoover don’t appear to follow Baldoni on social media.

There have also been reports of creative clashes behind the scenes, which allegedly led to two different cuts of the movie emerging, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Here’s everything to know about the reported cast drama and what everyone has said about working together.

Related: 7 It Ends with Us Filming Locations You Can Visit (And No, They're Not in Boston)

Why are there rumors of a rift between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?

Rumors of a rift between Lively and Baldoni first sparked as the cast embarked on the official press tour for the movie. Notably, throughout the film’s promotion, Baldoni has been largely absent from group appearances, including Book Bonanza and a surprise screening in June with Lively, Sklenar, Hoover and Isabela Ferrer, the latter of whom plays young Lily. Around the same time, Baldoni revealed he was recovering after being hospitalized with an infection for a week.

Speculation grew as the film held its New York premiere on Aug. 6. While Lively appeared to pose alongside all of her main costars, including Sklenar and Jenny Slate, Baldoni walked the red carpet with his wife Emily and his family. He also didn’t introduce the film ahead of the screening with Lively and Hoover, despite being the director of the project.

Additionally, fans have noticed that none of the main cast members nor the author follow Baldoni on social media, while Lively follows Sklenar, Hoover and Slate.

"All is not what it seems," a set source told PEOPLE about the rift. "There is much more to this story. The principal cast and [author] Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with him."

Amid the reported rifts, Baldoni hired crisis public relations manager Melissa Nathan of The Agency Group, a source familiar with the matter told PEOPLE.

What has the It Ends With Us cast said about working together?

Throughout the film's press tour, Baldoni has spoken highly of his costars. Ahead of the release, he praised Sklenar’s performance in an Instagram Stories post and during a conversation with PEOPLE, he said he was “mesmerized” by Lively during filming.

In addition to acting, he noted that Lively was “involved in every area of production” and was “a creative force” amid filming. “She's an executive producer on the film, and she is so brilliant,” he continued. “And I believe that her performance is going to help so many women feel seen and showcase this unique experience in a way that I don't believe I've seen in another film.”

In an interview with ELLE U.K., Baldoni called Lively a "powerhouse" to work with and also explained how "friction" on set can benefit the final product. “There are all these things that happen every day on set, there’s always friction that happens when you make a movie like this," he said. "Then at the end of the day, it’s that friction, I believe, that creates the beautiful art. Everything in life needs friction to grow."

During an interview for PEOPLE in 10, Sklenar opened up about working with Baldoni, noting he did a “great” job balancing his duties as a lead actor in the movie as well as director and producer. “The entire crew that he ensembled was so incredible,” he added. “Everybody in this film is just on the top of their game across the board. It was a really pleasant environment to work in.”

However, eyebrows were raised when Slate, who plays Baldoni’s sister Allysa, was asked about working with him during the film’s premiere and seemingly side-stepped the question. “What an intense job to have to do so many things,” she told Deadline, adding in her career, she would rather have one job when she’s doing projects.

Related: Blake Lively Thanks Kids, Taylor Swift, Bradley Cooper, Britney Spears and More in It Ends With Us Credits

What happened behind the scenes of It Ends With Us production?

Ahead of the release, there have also been various reports about creative clashes behind the scenes. While Baldoni served as the director and producer for the project, Lively, who was also a producer, praised her husband Ryan Reynolds for his creative contributions at the premiere, saying that he wrote the pivotal rooftop scene between Lily and Ryle.

"The iconic rooftop scene, my husband actually wrote it. Nobody knows that but you now," Lively told E! News on the red carpet. "We help each other," she added. "He works on everything I do. I work on everything he does. So his wins, his celebrations are mine and mine are his. I mean, he's all over this film."

Speaking with PEOPLE, the film's screenwriter, Christy Hall, noted that the specific scene was "probably the trickiest one to tackle" because it is "perfect in the novel." She also said she wasn't aware Reynolds had contributed to the dialogue used in the final version of the sequence, but noticed a few new additions.

"There were a couple of little things that I thought had been improvised. Like when he says, 'Pretty please with a cherry on top,' and she talks about the maraschino cherries. When I saw a cut, I was like, 'Oh, that's cute. That must have been a cute improvised thing.' So if I'm being told that Ryan wrote that, then great, how wonderful," she said.

"There were a few little flourishes that I did not write, but I assumed that they had been improvised on set,” she continued. “But, again, like I said, the moments that I felt like needed to be honored are there. So I recognize the scene and I'm proud of the scene. And if those flourishes came from Ryan, I think that's wonderful."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “there was a fracture among the filmmakers” during the post-production process as two “different cuts of the movie emerged.” A source notes to PEOPLE that it’s typical to have many cuts of the film during post-production, and everyone agreed on the final cut.

Related: Ryan Reynolds Supports Blake Lively at It Ends with Us Premiere, She Says 'It's the Best' Having Him There (Exclusive)

What is the other controversy surrounding the It Ends With Us adaptation?

The cast drama rumors aside, the movie has also faced backlash as some fans criticized the portrayal of intimate partner violence. In both the book and the film adaptation (warning: spoilers ahead), the story revolves around Lily Bloom as she embarks on a romance with Ryle. However, over time, he becomes emotionally, sexually and physically abusive towards Lily. Though they ultimately part ways in the end, she allows him to continue to co-parent their daughter.

This has been a point of contention for readers, as some question Lily's choice to keep Ryle around while others praise the realistic nature of the relationship. Hoover has candidly opened up about how watching her own parents' relationship influenced the story.

“One of my earliest memories was him throwing a TV at her,” she told Today in 2023. “We grew up in an abusive household up to that point. There were no resources for women to leave situations like that,” she continued, adding her mother divorced her father when she was 2. “She was able to get out of that relationship. And then from then on, I just remember growing up with a mother who was so strong and independent.”

Hoover recalled that she "would ask her mother all the time about how she was able to leave her father and ended up writing a book inspired by her mother’s courage."

What has the It Ends With Us cast said about the story?

Both Lively and Baldoni have emphasized the importance of the film’s subject material and how they hope it helps people who are victims of domestic violence.

“I think what's really beautiful about this movie is I think that it is told with empathy, and that speaks to how Colleen wrote this book, because she lays out such a clear emotional roadmap for Lily,” Lively told PEOPLE of the source material. “And Lily isn't just multifaceted and dynamic and has highs and lows and light and darkness, but all the characters surrounding her do as well. They're not just one color.”

“This will hold your empathy,” she continued of the film. “Hindsight is 20/20, right? So it's very easy to look back and see red flags. But I think that it's more about giving yourself grace for not seeing things, or seeing them and wanting to believe the best in a person, because a beautiful attribute to want to believe the best in person, in people, but it can also get you into really painful, traumatic situations, and sometimes you don't even realize it. I think that it's about having empathy for yourself and then also knowing your strength and your value. Hopefully, seeing a film like this and then having a story like this will remind people that there is a way out. There can be a way out, always.”

A source told PEOPLE that Baldoni has also been passionate about spreading that narrative. “In every bit of press he has done, he has placed an emphasis on the importance of spotlighting this issue and breaking the cycle of violence,” the source said. “Though this is Justin’s biggest directing and acting role to date, this film has never been in the interest of self-promotion. It has, and will continue to be about the message with the goal of touching real lives and inspiring people to speak out against DV. Ultimately, it is about the survivors and hope.”

Related: How to Watch It Ends With Us as a Domestic Violence Survivor

Will the cast return for an It Ends With Us sequel?

Seeing that It Ends With Us has a follow-up book, It Starts with Us, fans are curious to know if there will be a movie sequel — and who from the original cast will make an appearance. Though the book largely centers on Lily and Atlas, Ryle is still a central character.

While Baldoni hasn’t confirmed whether he’ll return as one of the film’s stars, he has weighed in on whether he’d return as director. “You’re gonna have to ask me in a little while. We’re gonna take a vacation after this,” Baldoni quipped to Entertainment Tonight.

“I think there are better people for that one,” he added. “I think Blake Lively is ready to direct. That’s what I think.”

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