August 6, 2024, should have been a victory lap. Instead, the New York City premiere of It Ends With Us felt like a cold war in formal wear. If you were looking at the photos, you probably noticed the "Blake-sized hole" in the group shots. Justin Baldoni, the man who optioned the book, directed the movie, and played the romantic lead, was nowhere to be found next to his co-stars.
While Blake Lively was busy posing with Ryan Reynolds, Brandon Sklenar, and Colleen Hoover, Baldoni was blocks away—spiritually, if not physically. He walked the carpet with his wife, Emily, and his own family. He didn't introduce the film. He didn't sit with the cast. Basically, the guy who made the movie happen was treated like a ghost at his own party.
The Justin Baldoni It Ends With Us Premiere Cold Front
The "vibes" were off. That’s the simplest way to put it. Fans on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) were the first to sound the alarm when they realized the cast wasn't just "not posing" together—they weren't even acknowledging each other. Jenny Slate, who plays Baldoni's sister in the film, dodged a question about working with him so hard she almost did a literal 180-degree turn.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a press tour this fractured. Usually, even if actors hate each other, they fake it for the paycheck. Not this time. Baldoni did his interviews solo, speaking to Today and Entertainment Tonight about the heavy themes of domestic violence. Meanwhile, Lively was leaning into a "Barbie-fied" marketing strategy, telling fans to "wear your florals" and "grab your friends."
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The contrast was jarring. You had the director talking about the "generational cycle of abuse" and the lead actress talking about her new hair care line and Ryan Reynolds' creative "flourishes."
Creative Hijacking or a Hostile Set?
As the dust settled after the Justin Baldoni it ends with us premiere, the lawsuits started flying. By late 2024 and early 2025, the drama moved from the red carpet to the courtroom.
Lively eventually filed a complaint alleging a hostile work environment. She claimed Baldoni made inappropriate comments and pressured her during intimate scenes. One specific allegation involved Baldoni asking an on-set trainer about Lively’s weight before a scene where he had to lift her. Baldoni, who has a history of back issues, reportedly wanted to avoid injury, but Lively felt "fat-shamed" in her postpartum body.
On the flip side, Baldoni’s team painted a picture of "creative hijacking." Unsealed texts from December 2023 show Baldoni venting that Lively was "setting him up for a trap." He claimed she refused to use a body double for sex scenes and rejected his storyboards.
- The "Two Cuts" Rumor: It turns out there actually were two versions of the movie. Baldoni had his edit, and Lively commissioned her own, hiring Shane Reid (who edited Deadpool & Wolverine).
- The Ryan Reynolds Factor: Lively revealed at the premiere that her husband wrote the iconic rooftop scene. Baldoni apparently didn't know this until she said it to a reporter.
- The PR War: Baldoni hired Melissa Nathan, a crisis PR expert who worked with Johnny Depp. Lively’s team called this a "smear campaign."
Why the Cast Sided With Blake
One of the biggest questions after the premiere was why the entire cast seemed to turn on Baldoni. Court filings in 2025 suggested a complex web of "loyalty building."
Evidence emerged that Lively may have used her massive industry influence to support her co-stars' careers. For example, Brandon Sklenar reportedly landed a lead role in a Paul Feig film after Lively "put in a good word." There were also claims she paid for cast members' travel to Colleen Hoover’s Book Bonanza event to share her side of the story before the movie even came out.
Baldoni, for his part, remained publicly gracious for a long time. He told People in early 2024 that "there wasn't a part of this production that [Blake] didn't touch." Little did we know that "touch" included a $400 million legal battle a year later.
What This Means for the Future of the Franchise
If you’re a fan of the book's sequel, It Starts With Us, don't hold your breath for a movie. Baldoni’s company, Wayfarer Studios, owns the rights, but the relationship between the leads is effectively radioactive.
The Justin Baldoni it ends with us premiere wasn't just a movie launch; it was the beginning of a massive shift in how we view celebrity collaborations. It showed that even a $300 million box office success can't paper over deep-seated professional resentment.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're following this saga, here’s how to parse the noise:
- Look for the "Director's Cut": While it hasn't been released, Baldoni’s version of the film reportedly focused more on the gritty reality of the book. The version in theaters is widely considered the "Lively Cut."
- Verify the Sources: Much of the "feud" info comes from unsealed legal depositions. If you see a "source" on TikTok, check if it aligns with the actual court filings from the 2025 lawsuits.
- Watch the Marketing: Notice how the film is packaged now. Post-controversy, the streaming versions often highlight the domestic violence resources more prominently than the initial "floral" theatrical campaign did.
The legal battle is still moving toward a 2026 trial date. Until then, the premiere remains a masterclass in Hollywood tension—a night where the smiles were as thin as the red carpet.
Next Steps for You:
You can research the unsealed "trap" texts in the latest court filings if you want to see the specific dialogue between Baldoni and his agent. Alternatively, comparing the "rooftop scene" dialogue to the original Colleen Hoover book will show you exactly where Ryan Reynolds' "flourishes" changed the tone.