Earlier this year, we reported on what looked like a developing feud around It Ends With Us. The movie was a massive hit in a world dominated by big franchises, superhero movies and sequels. It Ends With Us was a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s romance novel. The themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse made it go big in its target demographic.
It made $350.9 million worldwide from a budget of just $25 million, so a sequel seemed nailed on, especially as there are more books in the series. This was all then de-railed by a speculated rift between Blake Lively and her co-star (also director) Justin Baldoni.
Baldoni was absent from joint press events and commentators noticed how many of those working on the film did not follow him on social media.
It was all speculation, but today it has exploded into reality with nes from both The New York Times and The Hollywood Reporter confirming that Lively has made a legal complaint. The complaint alleges that Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, and studio Wayfarer created a “hostile work environment” and then retaliated when she reported misconduct.
There is also a lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment and causing Lively emotional distress, and allegations that those named instigated a “retaliatory public relations campaign” against her when these rumors started to circulate. These allegedly included social media manipulation and the planting of negative stories.
Baldoni’s legal team has responded with a statement calling these:
“…serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives.”
They go on to call the claims:
“…completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.”
So definitely no sequel, then?