It Ends With Us star Justin Baldoni got ‘screwed’ creatively and the film crew are ‘NOT all siding with Blake Lively’ it is claimed – hours after the director hired a crisis manager

The It Ends With Us cast and crew have not all sided with Blake Lively, a source has claimed, alleging that many people feel Justin Baldoni was ‘screwed’ creatively.

In recent weeks there have reports of major ‘creative differences’ and conflict between the co-stars as they embark on separate press tours. 

But production sources have now quashed brewing rumours that the entire cast are standing with Blake, 37, saying that many in the crew view director and star Justin, 40, favourably. 

Speaking to TMZ, sources claimed that Justin was ‘generally a nice guy to work with and cared a lot about the production’.

The claims came just hours after The Hollywood Reporter revealed Justin had hired a crisis pr manager – the same one used by Johnny Depp during his defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard. 

Rumours of conflict between the two lead stars sprouted on TikTok ahead of the release of It Ends With Us after eagle-eyed fans noticed that Justin was not present at press events promoting the film. 

Fans also speculated that something was amiss among the cast after Justin and Blake didn’t appear to pose together for any photos at their film’s premiere. 

TMZ reported that there was an obvious creative struggle on set, with sources claiming Blake was ‘eager to be seen as a creator’.

Justin presided over an ‘extremely difficult’ environment for cast and crew, Page Six reported in recent days, quoting multiple sources, noting that Blake was personally ‘uncomfortable’ amid filming.

A source told the outlet: ‘None of the cast enjoyed working with Justin – they certainly didn’t talk to him at the premiere.’

Earlier on Wednesday, it was revealed Justin hired a crisis public relations firm to represent him amid the situation.

Justin is turning to the well-regarded PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan for help, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Melissa is best known for representing Johnny Depp during his defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

The actor, who also directed the hit romance film, addressed the on-set ‘friction’ between himself and Lively — who was recently blasted by fans over an interview she did with her costars — in an interview with ELLE UK on Tuesday. 

Melissa launched her firm The Agency Group in June, and her initial clients included Depp, Drake, The Chainsmokers, Logan Paul and more.

The Agency Group is based in Los Angeles and New York, with a satellite office in Washington, DC.

Melissa had previously worked for the crisis management leader Matthew Hiltzik at his Hiltzik Strategies agency.

It was there that she represented Depp during his defamation trial against Heard, but the controversial actor jumped ship to join her once her new firm was announced. 

Justin, who was previously best known for a major role in the acclaimed rom-com series Jane The Virgin, is turning to Melissa’s crisis PR skills in the wake of damaging headlines after he was alleged to have made Lively feel personally ‘uncomfortable’ amid shooting of their future hit film.

But the alleged tensions between Justin and Blake reportedly go well beyond the filming of It Ends With Us to the movie’s post-production period.

According to sources who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, there was a major break between Justin and Blake after principal photography had ended over two warring cuts of the film, which is adapted from the bestselling 2016 Colleen Hoover novel.

Blake reportedly hired the editor Shane Reid to make a cut of the film that was separate from the one Justin and the two credited editors were working on.

Shane had previously worked as an editor on Deadpool & Wolverine, which Blake’s husband Ryan Reynolds stars in, co-wrote and produced. She also had a cameo role in the superhero blockbuster, as did several of their children.

Shane’s work on a cut of It Ends With Us ultimately didn’t earn him a screen credit, and it’s unclear if any portions of his Blake-commissioned cut were integrated into the theatrical cut, which is attributed to Oona Flaherty and Robb Sullivan.

On Tuesday, Justin addressed the on-set ‘friction’ as he promoted his new film amid the feud rumours. 

He described how tension during production can lead to ‘beautiful art’ as he promoted the new movie during an interview with ELLE UK.

The Jane The Virgin actor opened up about the challenges of the dual roles when he described how strain can benefit a film. 

‘It’s very challenging to act and direct, and especially with a project like this,’ he explained. ‘There was a lot of pressure playing such a complex role like Ryle and, of course, as a filmmaker, you’re always navigating personalities. 

‘There are all these things that happen every day on set, there’s always friction that happens when you make a movie like this. 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. And look, 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.’ 

Sources told DailyMail.com on Friday that Justin behaved in a ‘chauvinistic’ and ‘borderline abusive’ manner during filming of the motion picture, and had been ‘dismissive’ of suggestions made by Lively ‘during scenes depicting abuse.’

The source added that Justin ‘failed to consider Blake’s character’s perspective, instead focusing solely on what he believed was the abusive male viewpoint’ and that ‘his approach was very chauvinistic, creating a tense atmosphere on set.

‘Justin almost became the character in the sense that some women on set felt he was borderline abusive to them and that he was unprofessional and unapologetic.’

Justin did speak positively about Blake, calling her a ‘creative powerhouse’ and comparing her acting prowess to elite sports car Ferrari. 

‘It’s like the difference between driving a Toyota Camry or like a Ferrari. You’re like acting with somebody who’s like a Ferrari of an actor,’ Justin said. 

‘You move a little bit and then they respond, and it really was incredible just in terms of helping me craft the performance.

‘She touched so many aspects of this production, and everything she touched she made better. She’s so responsive and she’s so reactive.’