Justin Baldoni Spoke of 'Friction' onIt Ends with UsSetwith Blake Lively: 'That Creates the Beautiful Art'

Mar. 15, 2025

Justin Baldoni on Aug. 6, 2024.Photo:Gotham/WireImage

Gotham/WireImage

Justin Baldonialluded to there being “friction” on the set of his hit filmIt Ends With Us.

Speculation about behind-the-scenes drama among the cast of the romantic drama swirled online as itover-performed at the box officeover the weekend.Blake Livelyand costar/director Baldoni have been kept separate throughout the film’s press tour, and they didn’t pose together at the premiere. Fueling the rumors of a rift is the fact that Lively, author Colleen Hoover and costar Jenny Slate do not follow him back on Instagram.

In a recently published interview withELLEU.K., Baldoni, 40, called Lively, 36, a “powerhouse” to work with and also explained how “friction” on set can benefit the final product. (Lively was also a producer on the project.)

“There are all these things that happen every day on set, there’s always friction that happens when you make a movie like this," he said. “Then at the end of the day, it’s that friction, I believe, that creates the beautiful art. Everything in life needs friction to grow.”

He added, “We created something so beautiful and so magical, and it was hard, and it was worth it at the same time. And I grew so much as both a filmmaker, an actor and as a person throughout this experience.”

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively on the set of “It Ends With Us”.Jose Perez/SplashNews

Jose Perez/SplashNews

In another interview, Baldoni toldTodaythat “every movie is a miracle." Plus, he added, “You’re navigating complex personalities and trying to get everybody on the same page with the same vision. And mistakes are always made, and then you figure out how to move past them.”

Baldoni secured the rights in 2019 to adapt Hoover’s 2016 bestseller. Lively was reported to join the cast in January 2023. Though a sequel hasn’t yet been officially announced, Hoover wrote a follow-up book,It Starts With Us, published in 2022. (Baldoni toldVarietyhis production company Wayfarer Studios has the option onIt Starts With Usbut “I haven’t even begun to think that far ahead. I’m trying to stay in the present as much as I can.")

At the premiere in New York City on Aug. 6, Baldoni was asked about directing the sequel, and suggested toEntertainment Tonightthat Lively should instead direct it: “I think that there are better people for that one. I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct. That’s what I think.”

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in “It Ends With Us”.Nicole Rivelli

Nicole Rivelli

Livelymade her directorial debut with pal Taylor Swift’s 2021 music video"I Bet You Think About Me,” which earned her a CMA nomination and two ACM Award nominations.

InIt Ends With Us, Lively and Baldoni depict an abusive relationship. The cast also includes Brandon Sklenar, Hasan Minhaj, Isabela Ferrer and more.

Justin Baldoni on Aug. 6, 2024.Cindy Ord/Getty

Cindy Ord/Getty

There have been reports of creative clashes during the post-production process, which allegedly led to two different edits of the movie, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. The outlet claimed “there was a fracture among the filmmakers," but a source told PEOPLE it’s “normal to have multiple cuts of a film during post-production, and everyone here agreed on the final theatrical cut.”

A set source told PEOPLE Aug. 12 that “all is not what it seems"and “there is much more to this story.” The insider added that “the principal cast and Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with” Baldoni.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni on the set of “It Ends With Us” on May 25, 2023, in Hoboken, New Jersey.Gotham/GC Images

Gotham/GC Images

Back in April, Baldoni told PEOPLEabout Lively’s impact on the film. “There wasn’t a part of this production that she didn’t touch and have influence on,” he said. “And everything she put her hands on and her mind to, she made better.”

Lively has spoken about contributing to almost every aspect ofIt Ends With Us, from putting her touches on themusic,costumes,dialogueand more.

In a recentinterview with U.K.’s Hits Radio, Lively shared one example of a creative disagreement, prefacing the story with “I’m not supposed to be talking about this, but….” She explained that “they begged me” toremove Lana Del Rey’s song “Cherry” from the film.

Blake Lively at the London premiere of “It Ends With Us” on Aug. 8, 2024.Gareth Cattermole/Getty

Gareth Cattermole/Getty

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Lively toldBBCat the London premiere, from which Baldoni was absent, “I really feel like we delivered a story that’s emotional and it’s fun, but also funny, painful, scary, tragic and it’s inspiring and that’s what life is, it’s every single color.”

She added that the film, whichopened to a better-than-expected $50 million at the domestic box office, was made “with lots of empathy.”

It Ends With Usis in theaters now.

source: people.com