Why Blake Lively Was ‘Upset’
When the news broke that Blake Lively had been cast as Lily Bloom, the protagonist in It Ends With Us, fans of the novel were ecstatic. The highly anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s deeply emotional story had the potential to become one of the year’s most impactful releases. Lively, known for her charisma and acting chops in films like A Simple Favor and The Shallows, seemed like a perfect fit for the complex and resilient character of Lily.
Blake Lively also serves as an Executive Producer for the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends With Us,” which has become the highest-grossing box office hit of the actress’ career so far.
The premiere of “It Ends with Us” took place at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on August 6, 2024.
During her promotional tour, Blake Lively faced backlash from social media users who labeled her “tone-deaf” for her “light-hearted, humorous” demeanor and for not directly addressing her character’s domestic violence and abuse experiences. Additionally, Blake Lively was criticized for promoting her new haircare line and drinks brand during the tour, and for urging moviegoers to don floral attire, which some considered insensitive given the film’s themes of domestic violence.
Much of the backlash centered around casting choices, with some fans expressing disappointment about how the characters were portrayed compared to their image in the book. Some felt that Blake Lively, who is in her mid-30s, didn’t align with their vision of the 20-something Lily Bloom, the young woman navigating a toxic relationship and finding the strength to walk away.
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Similarly, other casting choices, including Justin Baldoni as Ryle, were met with mixed reactions. For Lively, who is typically praised for her performances and fan-favorite status, the level of criticism came as an unexpected blow.
Blake Lively featured in the September issue of ‘Vogue’ magazine, where she discussed a wide range of topics with great candor.
In addition to acting, Lively is also an executive producer on the film hence involved in every area of production. Ahead of the release, there have also been various reports about creative clashes while in production of the film. In an interview with E! News, Blake Lively revealed that the iconic rooftop scene between Lily and Ryle was actually penned by her husband, Ryan Reynolds, whom she described as a creative genius.
Blake Lively further added. “He works on everything I do. I work on everything he does. So his wins, his celebrations are mine and mine are his. I mean, he’s all over this film.”
Having approached the role with enthusiasm and a desire to do justice to Lily Bloom’s emotional journey, she didn’t foresee the intensity of fan expectations or the heated reactions.
The actress was reportedly caught in a bind, feeling thrilled to convey the emotional layers of Lily’s narrative on screen, yet simultaneously facing the enormous pressure from fans deeply connected to Colleen Hoover’s authentic characters.
With a stellar track record and a reputation for taking on complex, powerful roles, Blake Lively is sure to bring a fresh and nuanced perspective to Lily Bloom.
With surrounding all these controversies, as of September 8, 2024, it is reported that “It Ends with Us” has accumulated $141.3 million in box office earnings in the United States and Canada, and $168 million in other territories, amounting to a global total of $309.3 million.
