It Ends With Us was expected to revive the romantic comedy craze that once dominated the guilty pleasure playlists of many. While the Blake Lively-led film did deliver love and laughter, it also brought elements that starkly contrasted the intended genre, along with a whirlwind of PR drama involving the Gossip Girl star and director Justin Baldoni. However, what continues to keep fans on the edge of their seats is the anticipation of a sequel, as the movie enjoys its well-earned success at the box office.

With a sequel already existing in the literary world, the chances for a movie follow-up look promising. However, the ongoing PR drama makes the possibility rather unsettling. Thus, let's explore the potential developments that could shape the future of the film.

Despite the literary world’s criticism of Blake Lively’s allegedly “insensitive” PR for It Ends With Us, the rom-com has already earned eight times its budget, generating significant profits for the team. Whether this success will lead to a sequel is still uncertain. However, with the novel It Starts With Us already serving as a sequel, there would be no need to stretch or brainstorm for new material to continue the franchise.

When Entertainment Tonight asked Justin Baldoni, a central figure alongside Lively in the PR drama surrounding the film, about the possibility of a sequel at the premiere, the director deflected by saying, "there are better people for that," pointing to Lively, who has been accused of dominating the film's PR efforts. While Hollywood typically capitalizes on strong box office performance to build franchises, the future of It Ends With Us remains a double-edged sword that could go either way.

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An additional detail, however, adds to the complexity of the situation involving Baldoni and the rights to It Ends With Us and its sequel.

Although Justin Baldoni tried sidestepping the question about a sequel, an important detail adds complexity: his Wayfarer Studios holds the cinematic rights to It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us, having acquired them from Colleen Hoover in 2019. Hoover told Variety that she turned down several offers before partnering with Baldoni for the adaptation, noting that he "understood the book" and its significance for audiences to see it on screen.

Lively and Baldoni may need to find common ground and set aside their differences if they want to bring a sequel to life. As the sole party with control over the film's future with no need to renew any agreements, Baldoni's role remains crucial in the birth of a franchise. Despite his earlier comments about not planning too far ahead, it would be surprising if his studio had not considered the implications of the film's enormous success.

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Do you think there will be a sequel for Blake Lively's It Ends With Us despite the PR trouble? Let us know in the comments below!