Amid ongoing reports, theories, and speculation surrounding the set of It Ends With Us, the film’s lead actress, Blake Lively, is receiving backing from a high-ranking studio executive.
“Blake, [author] Colleen [Hoover], and many other women have invested tremendous effort into making this remarkable film, working selflessly from the beginning to ensure that this crucial subject matter was handled with care,” Sony Pictures Entertainment Chair and CEO Tony Vinciquerra stated in an interview on Wednesday, August 14.
“The audience response has been very positive. Blake’s dedication and passion for advancing the conversation around domestic violence are commendable.”
Vinciquerra, 69, added that both he and the company “love working with Blake, and we hope to collaborate on 12 more films with her.”
At the New York City premiere of It Ends With Us on August 9, Vinciquerra and Lively, 36, were seen together on the red carpet. Lively wore a Versace butterfly dress famously donned by Britney Spears, while Vinciquerra chose a navy plaid suit.
Vinciquerra also posed for photos with cast members Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate, and Hoover, 44.
However, Justin Baldoni, the film’s male lead and director, was notably absent from these group shots, sparking rumors of possible tension between him and his colleagues, especially Lively, on set.
In the lead-up to the film’s release, social media users noted that Lively, Hoover, and the main cast did not follow Baldoni, 40, on Instagram.
Despite his significant role in the film, Baldoni has largely been absent from the film’s press, opting for solo interviews rather than participating with the cast.
A preliminary version of the film shown by Lively at a June screening was reportedly her preferred cut.
At the NYC premiere, Lively also mentioned that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, wrote the film’s pivotal rooftop scene, fueling speculation about creative disagreements between Lively and Baldoni.
In a recent interview with Hits Radio UK, Lively disclosed that she fought to include Lana Del Rey’s “Cherry” in the final cut of the film.
“They begged me to take that song out of the movie,” Lively said, without specifying who “they” were. “I’m not supposed to be talking about this.”
Us Weekly learned on Wednesday that Baldoni has hired crisis PR expert Melissa Nathan amid the rumored conflict with Lively. He has also proposed that Lively direct a potential sequel to the film.
On the other hand, some fans have expressed concerns about Lively’s promotional strategies and her perceived lack of focus on the film’s theme of domestic violence during the press tour.
The film, adapted from Hoover’s 2016 book of the same name, explores the abusive relationship between Lively’s character, Lily Bloom, and Baldoni’s Ryle, while also featuring Lily’s first love, Atlas, played by Skelnar.
Lively issued a statement about the movie on Tuesday, August 13, expressing gratitude to those who support films about women’s experiences.
“Thank you to everyone who came out to show that people WANT to see films about women, and the many facets we embody. It Ends With Us is a story of the female experience, capturing both the highest highs and the lowest lows. We are incredibly proud of it,” she said.
She accompanied her message in which she discussed how her character Lily is “not defined” by her experience with domestic violence.
“She defines herself, and I think that’s deeply empowering—reminding people that no one else can define you. No experience can define you. You define yourself,” she stated.
She also shared resources for those experiencing domestic violence in a separate Instagram Story post. It Ends With Us is currently in theaters.
