Finally an Answer to if Justin Baldoni ‘Would Work’ with Blake Lively ‘Again’ as Sources Claim He’s Already Working on an It Ends With Us Sequel
The Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni story got so big at one point, and the two sides went at each other so hard that it was almost a surprise to hear that the two had settled. But there comes a point where everyone wants to move on, and that apparently applies to both of them. Both sides claimed victory in the settlement, which saw no money exchanging hands but established that Lively’s claims deserved to be heard.
What next? For Justin Baldoni, apparently, an It Ends With Us sequel, even without Lively. That’s right, Baldoni is apparently exploring a possible It Stars With Us movie, based on Colleen Hoover’s sequel to the novel. Wayfarer Studios still owns the right to the follow-up, and sources told Rob Shuter that’s now back on the table.
Related: Here are all the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Texts and Emails
“Justin finally feels like he can breathe again,” one insider said. “For months, it was nonstop lawsuits, backlash, and crisis management. Now he’s focused on rebuilding.”
And the sequel seems to be the path forward. “People genuinely thought the franchise was dead,” another source said. “Studios were nervous. Producers didn’t know if the sequel had become too toxic to touch.”
But now? “Justin still believes in these stories and believes audiences are ready to move on,” a source explained. “He thinks the focus can finally return to the movies instead of the drama.”
No one’s counting on Lively to return, though sources told the Hollywood insider Baldoni would consider it. “Justin would work with Blake again if it helped save the franchise,” an insider said. “He’s not interested in revenge. He just wants to make movies again.”
That’s not exactly the vibes from the dueling statements released from Lively and Baldoni’s lawyers after the settlement, though. And Shuter is also reporting that Lively wanted a strict NDA during settlement negotiations, but the Baldoni camp refused. The confidentiality protections would have permanently barred both sides from discussing the issue after the settlement.
“Blake wanted this over quietly and permanently,” one insider explained. “She never wanted anyone talking about this case again. Her team pushed incredibly hard for an NDA because they wanted all the public drama to stop.”
However, Baldoni, who was accused of orchestrating a campaign of retaliation against the actress, wouldn’t budge. “Justin’s team felt they’d spent months defending themselves publicly and weren’t about to suddenly go silent,” the source said. “Bryan Freedman [Baldoni’s lawyer] was never going to agree to being muzzled.”
Ultimately, Baldoni’s side won. “She wanted total protection from future public comments, but Justin’s side held firm,” another insider explained. “Blake had little leverage left and ultimately had no choice but to move forward without the NDA.”
And considering that one of the first things Baldoni’s camp did after the settlement was suggest Lively avoided trial because she feared testifying, she was probably right to want an NDA.
“This is exactly what Blake feared,” a source said. “Now this story isn’t ending anytime soon.”
