Justin Baldoni Spoke of 'Friction' on It Ends With Us Set with Blake Lively: 'That Creates the Beautiful Art'

Justin Baldoni alluded to “friction” on the set of his hit movie It ends with us.

Speculations about behind-the-scenes drama among the cast of the romantic drama have been rife online as it overachieved at the box office over the weekend. Blake Lively and costar/director Baldoni were kept apart during the film’s press tour and did not pose together at the premiere. Fueling rumors of a rift is the fact that Lively, author Colleen Hoover and actress Jenny Slate no longer follow him on Instagram.

In a recently published interview with ELLE UK, Baldoni, 40, called Lively, 36, an “electron” for the collaboration and explained how “friction” on set can benefit the final product. (Lively was also a producer on the project.)

“There’s all these things that happen every day on set, there’s always friction that happens when you’re making a movie like this,” he said. “Then at the end of the day, that friction, I believe, creates beautiful art. Everything in life needs friction to grow.”

He added: “We created something so beautiful and so magical, it was difficult and rewarding at the same time. And I grew so much as a director, and as an actor, and as a person during this experience.”

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively on the set of “It Ends With Us”.

Jose Perez/SplashNews

In another interview, Baldoni said Today that “every film is a miracle.” Plus, he added, “You’re dealing with complex personalities and trying to get everyone on the same page with the same vision. And mistakes are always made, and then you figure out how to get past them.”

Baldoni secured the rights to adapt Hoover’s 2016 bestseller in 2019. Lively is reported to be joining the cast in January 2023. Although a sequel has yet to be officially announced, Hoover has written a sequel to the book, It starts with usreleased in 2022 (Baldoni said Diversity his production company Wayfarer Studios has an option on It starts with us but “I haven’t even started thinking that far ahead. I try to stay in the present as much as I can.”)

At the New York premiere on August 6, Baldoni was asked about directing the sequel and suggested Party tonight that Lively should direct it instead: “I think there are better people for that. I think Blake Lively is ready to direct. That’s what I think.”

It ends with us Cast Drama Explained: What’s Going On With Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in “It Ends With Us”.

Nicole Rivelli

Author Hoover, an executive producer, also weighed in on whether Lively should direct a potential sequel, saying ET“I think whoever decides to take charge of the next one will be fair. But, you know, there’s a lot of people who have the same schedule again.”

Lively made her directorial debut with friend Taylor Swift’s 2021 music video “I Bet You Think About Me,” which earned her a CMA nomination and two ACM Award nominations.

IN It ends with usLively and Baldoni portray an abusive relationship. The cast includes Brandon Sklenar, Hasan Minhaj, Isabela Ferrer and others.

Justin Baldoni was ‘hypnotized’ by Blake Lively Making It ends with us: ‘I just had to get out of the way’ (Exclusive)

Justin Baldoni August 6, 2024

Cindy Ord/Getty

There were reports of creative conflicts during the post-production process, which reportedly led to two different edits of the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The outlet claimed that “there was a rift among the filmmakers,” but a source told PEOPLE that “it’s normal to have multiple cuts of a film during post-production, and everyone here agreed on the final theatrical cut.”

A set source told PEOPLE on Aug. 12 that “all is not what it seems” and that “there’s a lot more to this story.” The insider added that “the main cast and Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with” Baldoni.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni on the set of “It Ends With Us” on May 25, 2023 in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Gotham/GC images

In April, Baldoni told PEOPLE about Lively’s influence on the film. There was no part of this production that she did not touch or influence, he said. “And everything she put her hands and her mind to, she made better.”

Lively talked about contributing to almost every aspect It ends with usfrom adding music, costumes, dialogue and more.

In a recent interview with UK Hits Radio, Lively shared one example of creative disagreement, opening the story with “I’m not supposed to talk about this, but…” She explained that I was “begged” to remove Lana Del Rey’s song “Cherry.” from the movie.

Blake Lively says ‘Nobody knows’ Ryan Reynolds wrote the scene It ends with us as a screenwriter weighs in (exclusive)

Blake Lively at the London premiere of “It Ends With Us” on August 8, 2024.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty

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Lively told the BBC at the London premiere, which Baldoni was absent, “I really feel like we delivered a story that’s emotional and fun, but also funny and painful and scary and tragic and inspiring, and that’s life, that’s every some color.”

She added that the film, which earned more than the expected 50 million dollars at the domestic box office, was made “with a lot of empathy.”

It ends with us it’s in theaters now.

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Source: HIS Education