Justin Baldoni is nominating his "It Ends With Us" co-star Blake Lively to direct the movie's sequel, should one be greenlit. The 40-year-old actor, who directed and starred opposite Lively, 36, in the 2024 drama told “Entertainment Tonight " at the movie's Aug. 6 New York premiere that other filmmakers were better suited to sit in the director's chair the next go round.
“I think that there are better people for that one,” he said. “I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct, that’s what I think.” The movie is based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel of the same title .
Hoover published a sequel, “It Starts With Us,” in 2022. The former "Jane the Virgin" star's comments come amid rumors that he and Lively butted heads while making the movie. The two co-stars haven't done press events together, nor did they take photos together at the New York premiere.
Baldoni and Lively star in the movie as Ryle and Lily, a couple whose seemingly storybook romance is marred by Ryle's abusive behavior. The movie also stars Brandon Sklenar as Lily's former high school boyfriend, Atlas, and Jenny Slate as Lily’s best friend, Allysa. Baldoni, who also executive produced, said that directing "It Ends With Us" was an "extreme challenge" while speaking to TODAY.
com in an interview published Aug. 9 “Every movie is a miracle,” he said. “And then, of course, you’re navigating complex personalities and trying to get everybody on the same page with the same vision.
And mistakes are.