Justin Baldoni isn't quite ready to start something new. Although the It Ends With Us star also directed the film adaptation of the Colleen Hoover novel, when it comes to the book's sequel It Starts With Us , he's got someone else in mind for the director's chair: costar Blake Lively . "I think there are better people for that one," Justin told Entertainment Tonight at the movie's Aug.
6 premiere. "I think Blake Lively's ready to direct, that's what I think." And despite fans' speculation of a rift between the two , the Jane the Virgin alum had nothing but praise for the Gossip Girl actress—who also served as a producer—explaining that he tried to create a collaborative environment on set for Blake and their fellow cast mates Blake Lively , Brandon Sklenar , Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer .
"You can't summarize Blake's contribution in a sentence," he told Today.com in an interview published Aug. 9 , "because her energy and imprint is all over the movie and really, really made the film better, and from beginning to end.
" The sentiment echoes what Justin—who shares children Maiya , 9, and Maxwell , 6 with wife Emily Baldoni —recently told E! News about working with the 36-year-old. "She is a creative force," the 40-year-old said at the film's Aug. 6 premiere .
"Everything she touches, she makes better. I think we're all here because of her, so I couldn't be more grateful to have that opportunity." Still, fans online are pointing to rumors about behind-the-scenes issues .