After starring in and directing It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni isn’t eager to take on both roles again in a possible film sequel.
“You’ll have to ask me later. We’re planning to take a vacation after this,” Baldoni, 40, joked to Entertainment Tonight at the red carpet premiere in New York City on Tuesday, August 6.
It Ends With Us, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, tells the story of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a florist who becomes entangled in an abusive relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni).
As their relationship becomes increasingly volatile, Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), re-enters her life. The success of It Ends With Us led to the 2022 release of a sequel novel, It Starts With Us, which takes place years after the original story.
If It Starts With Us is ever adapted for the screen, Baldoni has ideas about who should direct it.
“I think there are others who might be better suited for that,” he remarked on Tuesday. “I believe Blake Lively is ready to direct. That’s my opinion.”
The Gossip Girl alum made her directorial debut with her best friend Taylor Swift’s “I Bet You Think About Me” music video in 2021, earning an ACM nomination for her work.
As for their on-screen performances, Colleen Hoover, 44, felt Baldoni and Lively were the “dream” casting choices for *It Ends With Us*.
“Blake Lively, everyone. She’s my dream Lily,” Hoover shared on Instagram in January 2023. ”
And when I first met Justin Baldoni, who is directing the film adaptation of It Ends With Us, I instantly wanted him to play Ryle. I just felt he had what it takes for that role, and the great news is he’s going to be Ryle.”
*It Ends With Us* draws inspiration from Hoover’s own family history with domestic abuse, which deeply affected Baldoni throughout the production.
“There were many moments where I had to step away, find a private space, and just cry or shake it off, trying to rid myself of that energy,” he revealed to *The Hollywood Reporter* in an August 7 profile. “Because it was too real.”
He continued, “There are far too many people who are the real-life Lily Blooms of the world, enduring that every single day.
I wanted the portrayal to be as authentic as possible, but those scenes were incredibly difficult to film.” It Ends With Us hits theaters on Friday, August 9.
