Amidst the rumors about an alleged feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, who have worked together in the cinematic adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel It Ends with Us, the fans are wondering whether Baldoni will return to direct the movie’s prospective sequel and if he was fired. It Ends with Us is currently showing in theaters. Even though it has received mixed reviews from critics, it seems to be well on its way to becoming a massive box-office success. As Hoover’s book already has a sequel titled It Starts with Us, a second film revolving around Lily Bloom (Lively) is a legitimate possibility.
Here is everything we have learned about whether Justin Baldoni will direct It Starts with Us.
Will Justin Baldoni return to direct It Starts with Us?
No, Baldoni is unlikely to direct It Starts with Us. He directed the first film and portrays Ryle Kincaid in it. But, even though neither he nor Lively officially confirmed anything regarding their purported feud, Baldoni heavily implied in a recent interview that he would not come back to helm the sequel.
When asked if he would be willing to entertain pulling double duties again in the future during an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the premiere of the movie, Baldoni initially said, “You’re are going to have to ask me in a little while. We are going to take a vacation.”
However, he later added, “I think there are better people for that one. I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct. That’s what I think.”
Was Justin Baldoni fired after It Ends with Us?
No, Baldoni wasn’t fired after It Ends with Us. However, both Lively and Hoover reportedly no longer follow him on Instagram. This suggests that perhaps there was some level of tension among them. And this combined with Baldoni’s above-mentioned statement makes the chances of him returning to helm the potential sequel significantly low.
Will Justin Baldoni’s Ryle return in the sequel?
Ryle is a part of the narrative of It Starts with Us. While there is a slight change in the movie and the novel’s ending, if a cinematic adaptation does materialize featuring Ryle, Baldoni can reprise his role there. But, whether he will return or not in the sequel remains to be seen.
The comments he made to Entertainment Tonight were about performing double duty as actor and director, before speaking on whether he will helm the potential sequel. But, he hasn’t said anything about not portraying Ryle again. So, there is a possibility that he may return as Ryle if the script perhaps allows, however, nothing is confirmed as of now.
