It Ends with Us Director Responds to Criticism on Blake Lively's Costumes: 'Just Go See the Movie'

Justin Baldoni doesn’t give room to critics of his wardrobe choices in his eagerly awaited upcoming film It ends with us.

In a new interview with party tonight the Jane the Virgin alum, who stars in and directed the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s book, said he “doesn’t worry too much about it” — and that he’s referring to all the criticism directed at Blake Lively’s costumes by Eric Daman, a professional who previously worked with Lively on Gossip girl.

Lively, 36, plays the lead character Lily Bloom and when photos of her on set leaked in May 2023, when production began, fans were quick to pander to her character’s extremely eclectic (or what some called “frompy”) look, of which one included peekaboo blue boxers.

Blake Lively films “It Ends With Us” on May 25, 2023 in Hoboken, New Jersey.

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But Baldoni, 40, has only one answer: “just go see the movie.”

“We don’t always think about why her clothes look like that in that area. And also once you see the movie, it all makes sense,” said Baldoni, who plays Lily’s lover, neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. ET.

However, he knows that strong opinions often come from a place of passion — and fandom. “I understand when you love something so much, you know, social media is amazing [the] the way it gives the fans a voice,” he said. “And if it weren’t for the fans, we wouldn’t be making this movie. So let them talk.”

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Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively on the set of “It Ends with Us” on January 12, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey.

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Baldoni is not the only one to address this controversy.

Last June, It ends with us author Colleen Hoover said she had a similar carefree attitude toward all the attention.

“I don’t remember describing the clothes at all. I don’t care what they’re wearing,” she said Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager at the time. “In my head, it’s about the conversation they have and the story. It’s the same in the movie.”

She urged fans to have faith and wait until the film hits theaters on August 9 before passing judgment. “You’ve seen a few outfits that are completely out of context. I’m not worried about that.”

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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are seen on the set of “It Ends with Us” on January 12, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey.

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Everything you need to know about Blake Lively’s upcoming movie It ends with us

Aside from the costumes, fans have also expressed concern over the large age gap between the characters and the actors playing them. Lively is more than a decade older than the 23-year-old protagonist. Similarly, Baldoni, who is also directing the screen adaptation of the book, is 10 years older than his 30-year-old book counterpart.

Hoover previously explained that she wrote the series of novels around “college students” who have not adjusted to reality. “I didn’t know neurosurgeons went to school for 50 years. There is no such thing as a 20-something neurosurgeon.” Hoover adds that he sees the adaptation as “an opportunity to correct his mistake.”

Watch the first trailer for It ends with us, in theaters August 9 here.

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Source: HIS Education