Justin Baldoni Seeks Legal Assistance as 'It Ends With Us' Controversy Escalates with Blake Lively

According to SAEDNEWS, In the midst of swirling controversy surrounding the film It Ends With Us, actor and director Justin Baldoni has reportedly brought in crisis public relations manager Melissa Nathan from The Agency Group to help navigate the ongoing turmoil. This decision comes after multiple members of the cast have unfollowed him on social media and have seemingly distanced themselves from promotional activities related to the film.

Both The Hollywood Reporter and People confirm that Baldoni is working with Nathan, although details about the nature of their collaboration remain undisclosed. The growing rift between Baldoni and the cast has been a hot topic since reports emerged of conflicts during the post-production phase of the film.

Sources have indicated that significant disagreements arose among the filmmakers, leading to the development of two different cuts of the movie. Notably, Blake Lively, one of the film's stars, reportedly commissioned her own edit from Shane Reid, a seasoned editor known for his work on Deadpool and Wolverine. However, it remains unclear whether this alternative cut made it into the final version of the film.

In addition to the issues surrounding the film's editing, tensions on set have been fueled by reports of Baldoni's “dismissive” attitude towards Lively's contributions, particularly regarding scenes depicting domestic violence. Sources claim that Baldoni focused predominantly on the male perspective, potentially overshadowing the character of Lively, which created a “chauvinistic” atmosphere on set.

A source commenting to People suggested that the situation is more complex than it may appear, asserting that “all is not what it seems” and indicating that the principal cast, along with author Colleen Hoover, have chosen to sever ties with Baldoni.

Adding fuel to the fire, insiders from Page Six claimed that Baldoni's working style made Lively feel “uncomfortable,” contributing to an “extremely difficult” environment for the cast. Despite these reports, Baldoni has consistently praised Lively and the rest of his cast while promoting It Ends With Us, even going so far as to express his belief that she would make an excellent director for a potential sequel.

As It Ends With Us approaches its release, the interplay of artistic vision, personal dynamics, and public perception continues to unfold, leaving fans and industry watchers eager to witness the outcome of this mounting drama. Whether Baldoni's new PR strategy will smooth over the tensions or exacerbate them remains to be seen.