Hollywood loves a good drama, but usually, that drama stays on the screen. With It Ends With Us, the 2024 adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s massive bestseller, the real fireworks happened when the cameras stopped rolling. You’ve probably seen the headlines. One day it was all about floral dresses and hair care, and the next, there were rumors of "creative hijacking" and legal battles that make the actual movie look like a rom-com.
Honestly, it’s been a mess.
The movie was supposed to be a triumph. It made a ton of money—we’re talking over $350 million worldwide on a tiny $25 million budget. That's a massive win for Sony and the cast. But instead of celebrating, the stars spent the better part of late 2024 and 2025 in a courtroom or trading jabs through PR teams. If you’re trying to figure out how a story about breaking the cycle of domestic violence turned into a $400 million legal war between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, you aren't alone.
The Press Tour That Went South
It started with the "florals." If you were on TikTok in August 2024, you couldn't miss it. Blake Lively was everywhere, telling fans to "grab your friends, wear your florals" and head to the theater. It sounded like she was promoting Barbie 2. But the problem? It Ends With Us is a heavy, often devastating look at an abusive relationship.
People noticed the vibe shift immediately.
While Justin Baldoni—who directed the film and played the abusive Ryle Kincaid—was giving serious interviews about the "cycle of violence" and "redefining masculinity," Blake was out there promoting her new hair care line, Blake Brown, and mixing cocktails with her husband’s Aviation Gin. One cocktail was even named "Ryle You Wait," which... yeah, naming a drink after a character who throws the lead character down a flight of stairs didn't sit well with everyone.
Kinda tone-deaf? That’s what the internet thought.
Social media turned on her fast. Critics called the marketing "Barbenheimer-lite" and accused Blake of trivializing the movie's message to sell products. But as we later found out, the "fun" marketing might have been a cover for a much darker rift behind the scenes.
Two Movies, One Edit
The rumors about a "fracture" among the filmmakers weren't just gossip. It turns out there were actually two different versions of the movie.
Sources eventually confirmed that Blake Lively commissioned her own edit of the film from Shane Reid, the editor who worked on Taylor Swift’s "I Bet You Think About Me" music video. This wasn't just a "suggestion." It was a full-on power play.
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"There wasn't a part of this production that she didn't touch," Baldoni said in an early interview. At the time, it sounded like a compliment. Later, it felt like a warning.
The tension became undeniable during the New York premiere. The cast didn't take photos together. Baldoni did most of his press solo. None of the main cast members followed him on Instagram. It was like he was a ghost in his own movie.
The Lawsuits: When Rumors Became Legal Fact
Everything blew up in December 2024. Blake Lively didn't just walk away from the drama; she filed a formal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. She alleged that Baldoni created a hostile work environment.
The details were messy.
- Sexual Harassment Allegations: Lively claimed Baldoni made inappropriate comments on set and made her feel uncomfortable during physical scenes.
- Body Shaming: There was that weird story about Baldoni asking his trainer how much Blake weighed because of his "bad back" before a lifting scene. Blake, who had recently given birth, reportedly felt "fat-shamed."
- Creative Hijacking: On the flip side, Baldoni’s team alleged that Blake and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, essentially took over the film, rewriting scenes and forcing their vision on the director.
Then came the money. Baldoni sued The New York Times for $250 million over their coverage of the allegations. He also turned around and sued Lively and Reynolds for **$400 million**, claiming they orchestrated a smear campaign to destroy his career.
It’s been a legal carousel ever since. In June 2025, a judge actually tossed out Baldoni’s lawsuits against the couple, but Blake’s sexual harassment lawsuit against him remains active and is heading toward a trial in March 2026.
Why Colleen Hoover is "Embarrassed"
Even the author has been pulled into the mud. Colleen Hoover initially supported Blake, but the "circus" (her words) eventually became too much. In late 2025, Hoover admitted she’s basically "embarrassed" to say she wrote the book now.
It’s sad, really. The book was inspired by her own mother’s courage to leave an abusive marriage. Now, when people think of It Ends With Us, they don't think about the message of empowerment. They think about the lawsuits, the TikTok backlash, and the drama between two movie stars who can't stand each other.
What This Means for You
If you're a fan of the book or the movie, the "behind the scenes" stuff actually changes how you watch it. You can see the "Lively Cut" in the final product—the focus on the flowers, the fashion, and the "Barbie-fication" of Lily Bloom’s world.
But there’s a bigger lesson here about Hollywood marketing. You can’t treat a movie about domestic violence like a summer blockbuster "girls' night out" without people noticing the disconnect.
Here is how to navigate the noise:
- Separate the art from the drama: If the movie helped you or felt authentic to the book, that’s valid. The personal beef between actors doesn't have to ruin the story for you.
- Look for the real message: If you’re interested in the actual themes of the book, look for interviews with domestic violence advocates rather than the "floral-themed" press junkets.
- Watch the legal dates: The trial in March 2026 is where we’ll likely see the real evidence—leaked texts, set memos, and witness testimony. That's when the "he said, she said" finally gets a verdict.
The story of Lily Bloom was about finding the strength to walk away from a toxic situation. Ironically, it seems like everyone involved in the movie is still stuck in one.
To stay truly informed on this, keep an eye on the official court filings from the California Civil Rights Department rather than just social media snippets. Most of the "leaked" information on TikTok is filtered through PR lenses. If you want to support the actual cause behind the story, consider donating to organizations like The National Domestic Violence Hotline rather than buying more movie-themed merch.