It Ends With Us crew members have spoken out about the reported rift between Blake Lively and her co-star director Justin Baldoni.
The highly-anticipated Colleen Hoover adaptation has been a box office hit, making over £30 million in its opening weekend, but the film has also been shrouded in controversy.
Lively herself has received criticism for not addressing the conversation around domestic abuse, which is a central theme in the film. Additionally, there have been multiple reports of a rift between the actress and Baldoni, with the pair holding creative differences.
Speaking to Rolling Stone this week, some of the film’s crew members explained that tensions between the two were an “open secret” on set.
“Everyone knew that they didn’t like each other,” one crew member reportedly told the publication. “I think some of the rumours online seem a little strong. I don’t think they hate each other. But I don’t think they would work together again. Their styles are way too different. Blake is very business-minded and very practical. Justin… is so on the other side of why he makes art that they were never going to be friends.”
“There were such conflicting ideas of how to make the movie,” said another crew member. “And since Blake was bankrolling it, Justin couldn’t really put his foot down.”
![Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in 'It Ends With Us'](https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024_blakelively_sonypictures_2000x1270.jpg)
Neither Lively nor Justin Baldoni have commented on the rumoured rift, but the director has suggested that he won’t be returning to make the film’s sequel.
“I think there are better people for that one,” Baldoni told Entertainment Tonight at the film’s premiere. “I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct. That’s what I think.”
Earlier in August, Lively also made headlines over a resurfaced interview which, according to Norwegian journalist Kjersti Flaa, made her want to quit her job.
The post ‘It Ends With Us’ crew members address rift between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni appeared first on NME.