Justin Baldoni has reportedly hired veteran PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan amid rumors of tension with the cast of the film “It Ends With Us,” including co-star Blake Lively. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Baldoni enlisted Nathan’s firm, The Agency Group, which specializes in communication, reputation management, and personal publicity. Sources indicated there were online speculations about a fallout between Baldoni and Lively due to his absence from several press events and group photos.
According to industry sources, there were conflicts between Baldoni and Lively on set, with the director allegedly making the actress uncomfortable during filming. One source mentioned that Baldoni created a challenging environment for the entire cast, not just Lively. It was suggested that none of the cast members enjoyed working with Baldoni, and they did not engage with him during the film premiere. The film, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel depicting a toxic romance, featured the pair as lead actors.
Reports from the Hollywood Reporter indicated that Baldoni and Lively clashed during the post-production phase after Lively requested another editor to work on a cut of the film. It is unclear if the editor’s cut was used in the final version, which was credited to different editors. A studio insider mentioned that as a producer, Lively had the opportunity to provide feedback and edits for the film, and Sony ultimately decided on a version that included Lively’s input, with the agreement of all parties involved.
Despite owning the rights to Hoover’s follow-up novel, “It Starts With Us,” Baldoni is unlikely to return for a potential sequel to the film. He suggested in an interview with “Entertainment Tonight” that Lively would be better suited for the director role in the second installment. Baldoni expressed his belief that Lively is prepared to take on the directorial responsibilities for the sequel and implied that there are other individuals more suitable for the job.
Reps for Justin Baldoni did not respond immediately to inquiries regarding the rumored discord within the cast of “It Ends With Us.” The situation potentially involving Blake Lively further fueled online discussions about tensions between the co-stars. Sources indicated a lack of harmony between Baldoni and Lively on set, suggesting that working with the director was a challenging experience for the entire cast. The conflicting reports about the post-production process added to the speculation surrounding the project.
It has been reported that Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, owns the rights to Hoover’s second novel, yet he may not be involved in a potential sequel to “It Ends With Us.” Despite the uncertain future of the franchise, Baldoni advocated for Lively to take on the role of director for the sequel, suggesting that she is more prepared for the position than he is. The behind-the-scenes drama involving Baldoni, Lively, and the production of the film has generated significant attention, adding to the anticipation surrounding a potential follow-up to the movie.
