Ryan Reynolds jumped in to save wife Blake Lively’s new film It Ends with Us from ‘disaster’ as he felt he owed her after she ‘sacrificed’ her career to raise their children as his Hollywood star power grew.
The release of the hotly anticipated adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s hit novel has been overshadowed by reports of a feud between Lively, 36, and Justin Baldoni – her costar and director – over claims he was ‘borderline abusive’ on set and ‘dismissive’ of her concerns about his depiction of domestic abuse.
Now, insiders have exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com that Reynolds, 47, got involved to protect his wife – and he does not feel he owes Baldoni, 40, an apology.
‘He jumped in to help the film from disaster,’ a source said. ‘Ryan has every right to stick up for his wife especially when it comes to a project, she is so passionate about.
‘Ryan knew when he saw the script that it needed help. Together with Blake they made sure that it was not only brilliant but reflective of what this story is about.’
Ryan Reynolds jumped in to save wife Blake Lively’s new film It Ends with Us as he felt he owed her after she sacrificed her career to raise their children, sources have told DailyMail.com
The films release has been overshadowed by reports of a feud between Lively, 36, and Justin Baldoni – her costar and director – over claims he was ‘borderline abusive’ on set
DailyMail.com previously revealed that tensions flared between Lively and Baldoni over his refusal to ‘consider’ the perspective of her character while filming scenes featuring abusive behavior.
Baldoni was accused of focusing on ‘what he believed was the abusive male viewpoint’ and had a very ‘chauvinistic’ approach to the topic.
Reynolds’ involvement was not a personal attack on Baldoni, but a desperate need to help his wife, with whom he shares four children, achieve her dreams.
‘Ryan didn’t want this to fail for anyone, especially his wife,’ the source continued. ‘It was nothing against Justin, but Justin took it personally and it is not Ryan’s fault, nor does he have any apology to give.
‘He got nothing out of this. He didn’t want any credit. He just wanted to see Blake’s first big break back into the business succeed.
‘He feels in many ways that Blake sacrificed a lot to raise their children while he was able to continue his dreams and he feels that he owes her so much.
‘He loves her more than anything and he wants her to be able to achieve her dreams. And she will always have her husband’s help, guidance, and support in whatever she does.’
Rumors of conflict between Baldoni and Lively popped up on TikTok ahead of the films release after eagle-eyed fans noticed that Baldoni was not present at press events promoting the film, and Hoover and Lively had unfollowed him on Instagram.
Reynolds’ involvement was not a personal attack on Baldoni (pictured on set with Lively), but a desperate need to help his wife, with whom he shares four children, achieve her dreams
But Lively has not survived unscathed, with the actress facing mounting criticism for her ‘tone deaf’ promotion of the drama.
It Ends with Us follows Lively’s Lily Bloom, a floral designer who falls in love with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, played by Baldoni – but soon after they start dating, the romance turns toxic with the latter becoming abusive.
Lively was slammed for pushing her Blake Brown haircare line during the movie tour, encouraging cinemagoers to ‘wear your florals,’ and appearing to sell the movie as a romcom over providing information on support for victims of domestic abuse.
She was also lambasted for her lighthearted responses in interviews, one of which saw her giggling with her co-stars Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer, as well as author Hoover, as they discussed everything from their dream jobs to their zodiac signs. There was no mention of domestic violence during their chat.
In another interview with Brandon Sklenar, who plays Atlas, she made fun of a question about how people can approach her to talk about the subject matter of the movie, with many claiming she should have taken the opportunity to plug resources.
‘The promotion on this film is a complete slap in the face to every woman who has endured domestic violence,’ said one person on Instagram.
Lively has also been criticized for how she has promoted the movie with the actress lambasted for an interview she did with her costars
Another wrote on Reddit: ‘It would cost nothing to at least say that she empathizes with women who are affected by domestic violence and to drop any resources. This is so insanely tone deaf.’
Samantha Karlin, founder of Women’s Leadership Challenge, told DailyMail.com: ‘It is insulting to people who have experienced deep and sustained trauma, and can invalidate their experiences.
‘Blake just didn’t appreciate the gravity of the topic and how many women are going to that film and identifying with it, and are starving for advice, support, and resources.
‘She treated the interviews around the movie as if they were interviews around Gossip Girl, a chickflick, or a rom com.
‘I think that she is in a bubble of privilege and clearly didn’t realize that embodying this role wasn’t just about doing a good job acting.’
Lively appeared to acknowledge the criticism on Tuesday by publishing a statement to her Instagram Story along with a violence against women PSA.
Lively appeared to address the criticism on Tuesday by publishing a lengthy statement to Instagram
In a follow-up post she shared statistics relating to domestic violence in the United States and provided fans with a link to the National Domestic Violence Hotline
‘Thank you to everyone who came out to show that people WANT to see films about women and the multitudes we hold. It Ends With Us is a story of the female experience. All the highest highs, and lowest lows. And we are so proud of it,’ penned the Gossip Girl alum.
‘We have been in celebration of this film and of getting a message so important out there to the masses.
‘Thank you all for embracing @itendswithusmovie with the same love, pain and joy we had sharing it with you all.’
Gloria Allred, the famed attorney who has taken on a string of high-profile cases involving women’s rights, told DailyMail.com that this has been a ‘teaching moment’ for the actress.
‘Credit is due to the survivors who dared to speak out on this issue, because they were concerned that she was not taking the issue seriously,’ she said. ‘Victims are not just statistics… Movie and television stars have an opportunity to speak out on many platforms. They should always take this issue seriously and take every opportunity to help not hurt victims of violence.
‘I am glad that Ms. Lively now seems to understand that violence against women or men is not a joke. It could be and often is a matter of life or death.’