Blake Lively starrer and Justin Baldoni directed It Ends With Us is going to compete against Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool & Wolverine, which is already making noise at the box office. People are saying that it’s another “Barbenheimer.” It Ends With Us is getting mixed reviews from critics but the author Colleen Hoover, whose book of the same name has been adapted is feeling right about the movie saying that it did due justice to the source material.
Colleen Hoover’s Comment On The Adaptation of It Ends With Us
Blake Lively in It Ends With Us. Image Credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us has transcended the realm of literature to become a cultural phenomenon. The novel, a raw and emotional exploration of love, loss, and abuse, has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Now, the story is being brought to life on the big screen, starring Blake Lively as Lily Bloom and Justin Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid.
The film follows Lily as she embarks on a new chapter in Boston, pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams. Her life takes a romantic turn when she encounters the charming neurosurgeon, Ryle. As their relationship deepens, so too do the haunting parallels to her parents’ tumultuous marriage. The re-emergence of her first love, Atlas, further complicates matters, forcing Lily to make a heart-wrenching decision.
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Hoover herself drew inspiration from personal experiences to craft this powerful narrative. Initially published in 2016, the novel gained immense popularity in 2021, culminating in the highly anticipated film adaptation by Sony Pictures in 2024.
In a conversation with CBR, Hoover opened up about the journey of transforming her cherished story into a cinematic experience. When asked about the overwhelming response to It Ends With Us, she expressed her disbelief and gratitude, stating, “I can’t even say it’s a dream come true, because I don’t think my dreams even grew this big!“
Hoover was also asked about the challenges and decisions involved in adapting the novel for the screen. She acknowledged the necessary changes made to condense the story, emphasizing her trust in the creative team. Hoover expressed confidence in the film’s ability to do justice to the original work, hoping that readers would share her enthusiasm.
“I hope that when readers go see it, they feel the same way, and that they feel like they did the book justice, because I absolutely feel like they did,” Hoover said.
Colleen Hoover Addressed Age Gap Controversy in It Ends With Us Film Adaptation
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in It Ends with Us. Image Credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment
In June, Colleen Hoover, the celebrated New York Times bestselling author, took the stage at her annual book festival, Book Bonanza, to clarify some of the concerns that have arisen regarding the film adaptation of her novel, It Ends With Us. The movie has stirred conversations among fans, particularly due to the casting choices of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni as the lead characters, Lily and Ryle.
The announcement made earlier this year that Lively and Baldoni would portray these roles was met with mixed reactions. Much of the criticism centered on the noticeable age difference between the actors and the characters they are set to play. Lively, at 35, is significantly older than the 23-year-old protagonist, Lily. Similarly, Baldoni, who not only stars in but also directs the adaptation, is nine years older than his character, Ryle, who is 30 in the book.
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Addressing these concerns, Hoover discussed during the festival, sharing her reasons for the age differences. Reflecting on the origins of It Ends With Us, Hoover explained that when the book was written, the “new adult” genre was at its peak, often focusing on college-aged characters. This genre focus influenced the age of her characters at that time. However, Hoover acknowledged a gap in her research, particularly concerning the career of one of her main characters. “I didn’t know that neurosurgeons went to school for 50 years. There’s not a 20-something neurosurgeon,” (Via PEOPLE) she remarked, highlighting the unrealistic portrayal in her original narrative.
Realizing this, Hoover saw the film adaptation as an opportunity to correct this oversight. “As I started making this movie, I’m like, ‘We need to age them out because I messed up,’” she admitted, taking responsibility for the decision. Despite the controversy, Hoover expressed her satisfaction with the casting, particularly praising Blake Lively. She confessed her long-standing admiration for Lively, stating that she has been “obsessed” with the actress since her days as Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl.
For fans concerned about other aspects of the film, such as costumes or character portrayals, Hoover offered a simple piece of advice: go and watch the movie in theaters.
It Ends With Us releases in theaters on August 9, 2024.
