It Ends with UsDirectorJustin Baldoni Suggests Blake Lively Should Direct Sequel: 'Better People for That One'

Mar. 15, 2025

It Ends With Usdirector and starJustin Baldoniisn’t sure he’s up to the task of directing a sequel to hisBlake Lively-starring drama.At the movie’s New York City premiere on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Baldoni, 40, toldEntertainment Tonight, “I think that there are better people for that one,” when asked if he was eager to adaptColleen Hoover’s 2022 sequel novel. “I thinkBlake Lively’s ready to direct, that’s what I think,” he said.Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in It Ends with Us.Nicole RivelliBaldoni and Lively, 36, costar as Ryle and Lily inIt Ends With Us, a romantic drama that centers around the pair’s turbulent relationship after they meet in Boston — and the decisions Lily makes as she is confronted with Ryle’s physically and emotionally abusive nature as a partner. The movie also starsBrandon Sklenaras Atlas, Lily’s high school boyfriend whom she reconnects with as her relationship with Ryle develops, andJenny Slateas Lily’s best friend and coworker.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“This isn’t my night — this is a night for all the women who we made this movie for,” Baldoni toldETon the red carpet as he celebrated the movie’s premiere. “This is a night for Blake, this is a night for Colleen. I’m just so grateful that we’re here, five years in the making.“Justin Baldoni and Blake Livley on Jan. 12, 2024.Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesIt Ends With Us, which originally published as a novel in 2016, is one of26 booksauthor Hoover has written dating back to 2012. The book’s sequel,It Starts With Us,continues to follow each of the main characters introduced inIt Ends With Usand ranked at the top ofPublisher’s Weekly’s best-sellers listsin both 2022and 2023.“What comes to mind isn’t so much the work that went into it but the why behind it,” Baldoni toldET,, when asked what he will remember from directing the film and starring in it. “The why was that if a Lily Bloom in real life can sit in this theater and maybe make a different choice for herself than was made for her, maybe she sees herself on that screen and she leaves the theater and chooses something different for herself. That’s why I made the movie.“It Ends With Usis in theaters now.

It Ends With Usdirector and starJustin Baldoniisn’t sure he’s up to the task of directing a sequel to hisBlake Lively-starring drama.

At the movie’s New York City premiere on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Baldoni, 40, toldEntertainment Tonight, “I think that there are better people for that one,” when asked if he was eager to adaptColleen Hoover’s 2022 sequel novel. “I thinkBlake Lively’s ready to direct, that’s what I think,” he said.

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in It Ends with Us.Nicole Rivelli

Nicole Rivelli

Baldoni and Lively, 36, costar as Ryle and Lily inIt Ends With Us, a romantic drama that centers around the pair’s turbulent relationship after they meet in Boston — and the decisions Lily makes as she is confronted with Ryle’s physically and emotionally abusive nature as a partner. The movie also starsBrandon Sklenaras Atlas, Lily’s high school boyfriend whom she reconnects with as her relationship with Ryle develops, andJenny Slateas Lily’s best friend and coworker.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“This isn’t my night — this is a night for all the women who we made this movie for,” Baldoni toldETon the red carpet as he celebrated the movie’s premiere. “This is a night for Blake, this is a night for Colleen. I’m just so grateful that we’re here, five years in the making.”

Justin Baldoni and Blake Livley on Jan. 12, 2024.Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

It Ends With Us, which originally published as a novel in 2016, is one of26 booksauthor Hoover has written dating back to 2012. The book’s sequel,It Starts With Us,continues to follow each of the main characters introduced inIt Ends With Usand ranked at the top ofPublisher’s Weekly’s best-sellers listsin both 2022and 2023.

“What comes to mind isn’t so much the work that went into it but the why behind it,” Baldoni toldET,, when asked what he will remember from directing the film and starring in it. “The why was that if a Lily Bloom in real life can sit in this theater and maybe make a different choice for herself than was made for her, maybe she sees herself on that screen and she leaves the theater and chooses something different for herself. That’s why I made the movie.”

It Ends With Usis in theaters now.

source: people.com