‘It Ends With Us’ sequel at risk due to Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni feud: 'Likely won’t work together...'

Will we ever find out how it ends?

After three weeks in theatres, ‘It Ends With Us’, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, has become a box office hit, but the drama surrounding the rift between co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni might impact the film's sequel.

With the first film earning over $200 million globally, it's expected that the producers are eager to begin work on the follow-up. But, according to a Variety report, the rumoured tension between Justin and Blake—both actors and co-producers on the film—persists and could affect the sequel.

The sequel to It Ends With Us has its story laid out in Colleen Hoover’s 2022 bestseller It Starts With Us, which continues the narrative from her 2016 book that inspired the film starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Set a few months after the events of the first film, the sequel features a smaller role for Justin's character, Ryle. Despite this, his production company, Wayfarer Studios, holds the rights to both books.

Justin, who directed the first film, is open to stepping back from directing the sequel.

He mentioned to Entertainment Tonight at the film's premiere, ‘I think there are better people for that. I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct.’

If Blake does take on the directing role—having previously directed Taylor Swift’s 2022 music video I Bet You Think About Me—she will need to negotiate with Justin, who, as a leading producer, holds the rights to the adaptations.

More about Blake and Justin’s rift

Rumours about their rift emerged when they did not promote the film together and were not seen together at the premiere.

Reports suggest Blake commissioned a different edit of the film, which became the final cut. There are also allegations that Blake felt Justin fat-shamed her and prolonged an intimate scene. Additionally, it is said that Blake’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, wrote a significant scene, potentially overshadowing Justin’s contributions.

According to Variety, ‘This is uncharted territory, and nobody has any idea of what a sequel could look like. There’s probably no world where these two will work together again,’ the report quotes a source as saying.

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