It Ends With Us star Justin Baldoni hires crisis manager amid major drama with Blake Lively

The actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni has hired a crisis public relations firm to represent him following reports of major ‘creative differences’ and conflict between him and his It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively.

Baldoni, 40, is turning to the well-regarded PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan for help, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Nathan 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 him and Lively on Tuesday in an interview with ELLE UK.

Rumors of conflict between Baldoni and Lively sprouted on TikTok ahead of the release of It Ends With Us after eagle-eyed fans noticed that Baldoni was not present at press events promoting the film.

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

Justin Baldoni addressed on-set ‘friction’ as he promoted his new film It Ends With Us amid feud rumors with co-star Blake Lively. 

Baldoni, 40, described how tension during production can lead to ‘beautiful art’ as he promoted the new movie during an interview with ELLE UK.

Baldoni stars opposite Lively – who was recently blasted by fans over an interview she did with her co-stars–  in the film and also directs the project. 

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.’ 

Baldoni did speak positively about Lively, 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,’ Baldoni 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.’ 

The interview comes amid rumors Baldoni is embroiled in a feud with Lively.

People has reported the rift also includes the principal cast of the film and Colleen Hoover, the author of the book of which the film is based on. 

People reported on Monday that the core cast and Hoover ‘will have nothing to do with’ Baldoni.

‘All is not what it seems’ in regards to Baldoni, who also reportedly clashed with the film’s leading star Blake amid production of the motion picture, a source told People on Monday.

‘There is much more to this story,’ a source told the outlet. ‘The principal cast and Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with him.’

While the director had ‘creative differences’ with some of his collaborators on the motion picture, reports of tension while making the film had been ‘overblown,’ a source close to Baldoni told People Monday.

The source added that Lively ‘wants to direct the next movie, sidelining him and securing the rights from Colleen.’

Adding to the speculation about tension between the director and star of the film was Baldoni foregoing taking full cast pictures during the movie’s New York City premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on August 6, People reported.

Baldoni was pictured only posing alongside his spouse Emily Baldoni, 40, relatives and producers at the debut of the film.

Baldoni presided over an ‘extremely difficult’ environment for cast and crew, Page Six reported, quoting multiple sources, noting that Lively 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.’

Insiders told Page Six that Lively and Baldoni watched the motion picture in ‘two separate theaters’ at the venue.

Separate insiders told the outlet that Baldoni ‘would never intentionally make his cast feel unsupported.’

The hard feelings between Baldoni and Lively could impact future projects in the franchise, as he might not direct a sequel based off Colleen Hoover’s 2022 book It Starts With Us, the follow-up to the current film’s source novel, 2016’s It Ends With Us.

Baldoni, whose production organization Wayfarer Studios possess the rights to the book, appeared to distance himself from directing a sequel in a red carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight at the premiere.

‘I think that there are better people for that one – I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct, that’s what I think,’ Baldoni said.

Sources told DailyMail.com Friday that Baldoni 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 Baldoni ‘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.’

According to a logline for the film, Lily (Lively) ‘overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life, as ‘a chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her parents’ relationship.’

The movie, which also stars Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar and Kevin McKidd, finished second at the domestic box office over the weekend with $50 million, and made $80 million globally, according to Box Office Mojo.