Justin Baldoni is ready to pass the torch to Blake Lively.
At the premiere of “It Ends With Us” on Tuesday night, the director told “Entertainment Tonight” that he thought Lively was better suited to adapt Colleen Hoover’s 2022 sequel novel.
“I think there are better people for this movie,” he said. “I think Blake Lively is ready to direct, that’s my opinion.”
His comments came amid rumors that there were creative differences between the co-stars on set. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that “a rift developed among the filmmakers during post-production.”
The alleged split reportedly resulted in two entirely different cuts of the film, one of which was allegedly commissioned by Lively, who also served as a producer on the feature film.
While it is unclear whose version is now showing in theaters, the actors are said to have agreed on the final cut.
Reps for Lively, 36, and Baldoni, 40, did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Fans began speculating about the alleged feud last week after noticing that Baldoni was absent from the cast’s press events and missed almost no group photos on the red carpet.
Although Lively and Baldoni are the film’s two leads, they were not photographed together at any of the world premieres. The “Gossip Girl” star and Hoover no longer follow the “Jane the Virgin” star on Instagram.
Baldoni hinted at the differing opinions in an interview with Today, telling the broadcaster that starring in and directing the film was “extremely challenging.”
“Every film is a miracle,” he said Friday. “And then of course you have to deal with complex personalities and try to get everyone on the same page with the same vision. And mistakes always happen, and then you figure out how to put them behind you.”
The actor described himself as someone who lives by the motto “the best idea wins,” which admittedly sometimes leads to people questioning his “point of view” or ability to take responsibility.
However, Baldoni thanked Lively and her “generous” husband Ryan Reynolds for making the “film better from start to finish.”
“You can’t sum up Blake’s contribution in one sentence because her energy and influence are felt throughout the film,” he said, noting that they both have the “gift” of “lightness.”
Baldoni and Lively play lovers Ryle Kincaid and Lily Bloom from the hugely popular novel, which came out in 2016.
Although their romance initially seems like a fairytale, Kincaid later shows his true colors as a physically and emotionally abusive partner.
At the premiere, Baldoni said the evening was not about him, but rather about “all the women they made this film for.”
“If a Lily Bloom in real life can sit in that theater and maybe make a different decision for herself than the one that was made for her, maybe she’ll see herself on the screen, walk out of the theater and make a different decision for herself… that’s why I made the film,” he said.
“I’m thinking of him tonight.”
