The Unseen Drama: 7 Shocking Behind-The-Scenes Secrets From The 'It Ends With Us' Movie Set

The *It Ends With Us* movie adaptation, based on Colleen Hoover’s global phenomenon novel, was one of the most highly-anticipated films of 2024, but the real drama wasn't just on-screen. As of December 13, 2025, the buzz surrounding the movie has shifted entirely to the explosive, unseen conflicts that unfolded during and after production. The film, which premiered in New York City on August 6, 2024, and was released in the US on August 9, 2024, has become a case study in Hollywood tension, creative clashes, and the complicated relationship between actors and directors. The production was a whirlwind of public scrutiny, from the controversial casting choices to the on-set creative decisions. However, the most significant revelation to surface post-release involves a legal battle over raw, unedited footage that exposed a deep rift between star Blake Lively and director/co-star Justin Baldoni. This article dives into the seven most shocking secrets from the set, giving fans a clear picture of the turmoil behind the adaptation of Lily Bloom's story.

It Ends With Us: Cast, Crew, and Creative Team Biography

The film adaptation of It Ends With Us brought together a major ensemble of talent, with the core creative team being central to the ensuing controversies. The following list details the key entities involved in bringing the story of Lily Bloom, Ryle Kincaid, and Atlas Corrigan to the big screen.

• Original Novelist: Colleen Hoover (Executive Producer)
• Director: Justin Baldoni (Also an Executive Producer and Actor)
• Screenwriter: Christy Hall
• Protagonist: Lily Bloom, played by Blake Lively
• Male Lead/Director: Ryle Kincaid, played by Justin Baldoni
• Love Interest: Atlas Corrigan, played by Brandon Sklenar
• Supporting Cast: Jenny Slate as Allysa Kincaid (Ryle’s sister) and Hasan Minhaj as Marshall (Allysa’s husband)
• Production Company: Wayfarer Studios (Baldoni’s company, which also owns the rights to the sequel)
• Filming Locations: Primarily in Hoboken, New Jersey
• Release Date: August 9, 2024 (United States)

The casting of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, in particular, was met with initial fan backlash due to the age difference between the actors and the characters described in the book, setting the stage for a production already under immense pressure.

The Legal War Over 'Unedited' Behind-The-Scenes Footage

One of the most dramatic post-production revelations involved a legal dispute between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively's respective teams. The core of the conflict was the release of raw, unedited behind-the-scenes footage, which was allegedly provided by Baldoni's legal team. This footage, reportedly around 10 minutes long, was said to capture a key dancing scene and was released amid ongoing drama surrounding the film.

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The release of this raw material was highly controversial, with many viewing it as an attempt to control the narrative or shift blame following reports of on-set tension. Lively’s team was quick to issue a statement in response to the footage, indicating a clear, public rift had formed between the director/co-star and the film’s leading lady. This unprecedented move of releasing unedited B-roll footage turned a typical Hollywood film promotion into a full-blown legal and PR battle, giving fans a stark look at the friction that can occur when creative visions collide.

Creative Clashes and the Two Cuts of the Movie

Beyond the legal drama, reports of significant creative clashes on the set of *It Ends With Us* were rampant. The tension between the major stars, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, who play Lily Bloom and Ryle Kincaid, respectively, was a widely rumored topic during the film's promotional tour. These disagreements were reportedly so severe that they led to the creation of two distinct cuts of the movie.

The existence of two separate versions suggests a fundamental difference in how the key players—likely Lively, Baldoni, and screenwriter Christy Hall—viewed the final product and its central themes. For a story that deals with sensitive issues like domestic abuse, any deviation or perceived softening of the narrative can be highly scrutinized. The push for a specific tone or interpretation likely fueled the friction, with one cut potentially favoring a more romanticized view and the other a more grounded, serious approach to the source material's dark themes. This internal struggle over the film’s message speaks volumes about the complexity of adapting Colleen Hoover's work.

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The Body Double’s Perspective: An Outsider’s View

Adding another layer to the behind-the-scenes narrative was the testimony of Justin Baldoni’s body double, Thomas Canestraro. Canestraro, who worked closely on the set, spoke out about his observations during the production. While his specific comments remain guarded, the fact that a body double felt compelled to speak publicly hints at an atmosphere of palpable tension that extended beyond the principal actors. The body double’s perspective offers a unique, third-party insight into the day-to-day environment, confirming that the rumors of drama were not just media speculation but a reality of the Hoboken filming experience.

The Controversy That Started It All: Trigger Warnings and Tone

The drama surrounding the film’s production was not purely a celebrity feud; it was deeply rooted in the controversial nature of the source material itself. Colleen Hoover’s novel, while immensely popular, has been criticized for its handling of domestic violence and for what some critics call "misogynistic tropes".

• The Tone Conflict: Many viewers approached the film expecting a typical romantic drama, only to be confronted with the shock and trauma-related triggers of the abuse storyline.
• Lively's Stance: Blake Lively was reportedly hesitant to recognize the film's events purely as "serious topics," which may have contributed to the creative friction over the film's overall tone and messaging.
• The Adaptation Challenge: The challenge for director Justin Baldoni was navigating these sensitive themes while satisfying a massive fanbase and addressing critical concerns. The need for clear trigger warnings was a major talking point both before and after the film's release.

What The Future Holds: The 'It Starts With Us' Sequel

Despite the intense drama, the story of Lily Bloom and Atlas Corrigan is not over. Justin Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, holds the film rights to the sequel novel, *It Starts With Us*. The sequel, which shifts the focus to Atlas’s perspective and Lily’s journey following her divorce from Ryle, offers a chance for a narrative reset.

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The question now is whether the core creative team—specifically Lively and Baldoni—will return for the second installment given the public and legal friction. A sequel would likely have to address the controversies head-on, promising a different, more unified creative approach to the sensitive subject matter. Fans are eagerly awaiting news, hoping that the next chapter will be less about behind-the-scenes feuds and more about the healing and hope that the sequel novel promises.