
If you have been following the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni drama that stemmed from the It End With Us press tour, things are only heating up as it appears Netflix may have chosen a side.
It Ends With Us: Drama Unpacked
It Ends With Us has become a box office sensation, narrowly missing the top spot last weekend due to the powerhouse Deadpool & Wolverine. However, it has since climbed to No. 1 during the weekdays.
Despite its commercial success, the film’s production and release have been marred by rumors of a feud, leading director-producer-star Justin Baldoni to enlist a crisis management team. This echoes the drama Olivia Wilde faced during her press tour for Don’t Worry Darling.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, here’s a quick rundown. In 2019, Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios secured the rights to It Ends With Us, a 2016 romance novel by Colleen Hoover. Blake Lively joined the project in January 2023, and Christy Hall (Daddio) adapted the book for the screen.
The story follows Lily (Lively), who escapes a traumatic childhood with an abusive father to start anew in Boston. She falls for a charming neurosurgeon, Ryle (Baldoni), but soon realizes his behavior continues the cycle of abuse she’s been trying to leave behind. The situation is further complicated when her childhood love, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), reappears, challenging everything she thought she knew.
Rumors of tension between Baldoni and Lively began when they didn’t take photos together or with the cast at the New York premiere on August 6. They were in separate theaters, and did no joint press, fueling speculation about on-set conflicts.
Whispers of creative differences and a difficult work environment surfaced, with some claiming Baldoni made Lively uncomfortable about her postpartum body, allegedly asking his trainer about her weight to avoid aggravating his back injury during a scene.
In another incident, Lively reportedly felt Baldoni lingered too long during a kissing scene. However, some sources suggest these stories were exaggerated to market the film.
Lively, also a producer, exercised significant control over the production, a fact Baldoni acknowledged in interviews, praising her involvement from start to finish. When asked about collaborating again for a sequel adaptation, It Starts With Us, Baldoni hinted that Lively might be ready to direct instead.
The film stays mostly true to Hoover’s book, but Baldoni made a significant change in how Lily’s experience with domestic violence is portrayed, opting for a fragmented narrative to reflect her perspective as an unreliable narrator. This approach led to the use of four different editors to piece together versions of abuse scenes, which were then combined to create the final cut.
Despite rumors of discord, both Lively and Hoover publicly praised the film. Lively mentioned that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, contributed to the iconic rooftop scene, revealing his uncredited work on the script. As the movie climbed the box office charts, the couple celebrated having the No. 1 and No. 2 films worldwide.
While Baldoni has spoken highly of Lively in interviews, she has been more reserved in her praise, though the film’s success speaks volumes about the team’s efforts to bring this beloved story to life on the big screen.
Lively has praised her husband’s surprise role in the film, however.
At the New York premiere, Lively revealed that her husband — Deadpool himself, Ryan Reynolds — made a major contribution to the film. “The iconic rooftop scene, my husband actually wrote it. Nobody knows that but you now,” Lively said. “He works on everything I do. I work on everything he does. So his wins, his celebrations are mine, and mine are his.”
Despite the ongoing scandal, new revelations continue to emerge daily.
While Baldoni has received the most negative attention, Lively has not escaped scrutiny. Her promotion of her hair care line in conjunction with the release of the domestic violence film It Ends With Us has been criticized. A source confirmed that the timing was unintentional, as the film was originally scheduled for June.
Lively faced further criticism for a promotional video that encouraged women to “grab your friends, wear your florals” and watch the film. This lighthearted approach was seen as insensitive given the film’s serious themes.
Lively later addressed the issue on Instagram, sharing a link to the National Domestic Violence Hotline and emphasizing the prevalence of domestic violence. However, fan theories and social media discussions have fueled speculation about a feud between Baldoni and Lively. Critics have closely analyzed their interviews and social media posts, often misinterpreting their words or actions.
Justin Baldoni Fires Back Online
Most recently, Justin Baldoni penned a heartfelt letter to domestic violence survivors after his It Ends With Us co-star, Blake Lively, faced criticism for not fully addressing the film’s serious themes.
“You embody resilience and courage, qualities that shine bright even on the darkest days,” the Jane the Virgin alum began his Instagram post titled “Dear Survivor” Friday.
Below, you can see the post, with the caption:
Dear Survivor,
You embody resilience and courage, qualities that shine bright even on the darkest days. In the tapestry of your life, each thread tells a story of endurance, strength, and hope. Every step forward you take, no matter how small, is a declaration of your unyielding spirit and an inspiration to others. You may not always see the impact you have, but your journey encourages and motivates, lighting the path for those of us still searching for the light. While I can never fully understand your pain and all you have endured, I want you to know that you are never alone in this fight. We are with you. You are not just surviving; you are thriving, and in your thriving, you inspire us all. May your journey forward be filled with moments of profound peace. And may you remember that as you fight for joy…you are liberating us all.
Sending you gratitude, strength, and love.
View this post on Instagram
Fans were quite enthralled with Justin’s message: “THIS is the proper way to handle a DV project. You sincerely care about the victims and it shows,” one follower wrote.
“Thank you for being so empathetic and responsible in your promotional efforts of this film. It speaks volumes to your character and your desire to make a change for survivors,” another commented.
Jane the Virgin Cut From Netflix
While Justin may be in a wind of high praise from It Ends With Us, the hit show Jane the Virgin is where he began his cult following.
Jane the Virgin was a popular American telenovela-inspired comedy-drama series that aired on The CW from 2014 to 2019. The show followed the life of Jane Villanueva, a devout Catholic woman who accidentally becomes pregnant after being artificially inseminated during a routine medical procedure.
Jane the Virgin garnered significant popularity during its run. It received critical acclaim for its unique blend of comedy, drama, and romance, as well as its diverse and relatable characters. The show’s viewership steadily increased throughout its seasons, making it a successful series for The CW.
Jane the Virgin received numerous awards and nominations throughout its run. The series won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 2015. It also received multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with Gina Rodriguez, who played Jane Villanueva, winning the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2015.
The show featured a talented ensemble cast, including:
- Gina Rodriguez as Jane Villanueva
- Justin Baldoni as Rafael Solano
- Andrea Navedo as Petra Solano
- Yael Grobglas as Petra Solano
- Brett Dier as Michael Cordero Jr.
- Jaime Camil as Rogelio De La Vega
- Justin Baldoni and His Role
Justin Baldoni played Rafael Solano, a wealthy and charming hotel owner who becomes involved in Jane’s life after the accidental insemination. Baldoni’s performance was widely praised, and he became a fan favorite. His character’s complex relationship with Jane and Petra Solano was a central storyline throughout the series.
For years, Netflix has had the streaming rights to the show, but now, in the height of the ongoing drama, it has been confirmed that Jane the Virgin will be leaving Netflix.
The Independent confirmed that Jane the Virgin will be leaving Netflix this month, even with its 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. The reasons for the removal have not been stated. However, it is likely that the rights agreement has come to an end, and the timing may be coincidental.
Will you be sad to see Jane the Virgin leave Netflix? Do you think this was intentional?