Blake Lively Brings Controversial Romance To Life In First It Ends With Us Images

Summary It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively, drops first images, showcasing on-screen chemistry and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks.

The controversial novel adaptation draws attention for Lively's casting, allowing star power to bring familiarity to sensitive themes.

Director Justin Baldoni, known for Jane the Virgin, faces challenges in adapting the bestseller's controversial story.

The first images from It Ends With Us, the big screen adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel starring Blake Lively, have finally dropped. The movie is being produced by Justin Baldoni's company Wayfarer Entertainment and is set for an August 9 theatrical release in the United States. It Ends With Us stars Lively in the lead role as Lily Bloom, and is directed by and co-starring Baldoni in the role of Ryle Kincaid. The movie's supporting cast includes Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate, Hassan Minhaj, Amy Morton, Alex Neustaedter, and Isabella Ferrer.

Now the It Ends With Us official X account has tweeted the first images from the movie, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most anticipated movies of the year. The photos give fans a first look at the romance between Lively and Baldoni's characters, as well as some behind-the-scenes images of Baldoni, the crew, and Hoover herself. Check out the images below:

Close

The first image shows Lively's character standing on what seems to be some kind of rooftop. The second image shows her enjoying karaoke with Baldoni's character, whilst the third shows her sitting in a café as Sklenar's character engages her in conversation. The fourth image shows Lively & Baldoni holding one another's faces intensely. The fifth is an off-camera photo of Baldoni embracing Hoover, whilst the next shows Baldoni directing with headphones on. The penultimate image shows Lively and Slate sharing a laugh on-set, whilst the final image is a close-up of Baldoni gazing at something in the distance.

How Successful Will The It Ends With Us Adaptation Be?

The Novel Courted Controversy For Its No-Holes-Barred Depiction Of Abusive Relationships

Though Lively's It Ends With Us casting was criticized by fans on account of her being 15 years older than the character she is portraying, there is no question the adaptation needed some star power, and this is what Gossip Girl actress Lively brings to the table. Adapting any successful work of art to another medium typically comes with issues, and the sensitive subject of the novel, exploring issues such as domestic abuse, gives a big star the chance to provide some familiarity for audiences.

Most Recent Colleen Hoover Books Verity 2018 Finding Perfect 2019 Regretting You 2019 One More Step 2020 Heart Bones 2020 Layla 2020 Two More Days 2021 Reminders Of Him 2022 It Starts With Us 2022

Baldoni is best-known for his role as Rafael in Jane the Virgin, but he is also no stranger to getting behind the camera, having made several short films in his career, as well as having already directed and produced two features in Five Feet Apart and Clouds. There are many challenges facing him as he attempts to adapt the New York Times #1 bestseller, but having an actress of Lively's caliber attached is only going to help matters.

Related Hollywood Should Have Adapted A Different Colleen Hoover Book (Not It Ends With Us) Although It Ends With Us has seen massive popularity, there is another book by Colleen Hoover that would have made a better film adaptation.

Despite the issue of the age disparity between Lively and Lily, fans will be hoping the adaptation can stay as true as possible to the themes explored in the novel. The difficult subject matter sheds light on important issues that could use further discussion, and the hope will be that the movie finds a way of exploring these visceral themes in an emotionally affecting but accessible way. If Baldoni can get this right, It Ends With Us could prove to be a very strong adaptation that could serve as a benchmark for future projects.

Source: It Ends With Us/X