Everything you need to know about the film adaptation

BookTalk, rejoice! Colleen Hoover’s The best-selling novel of 2016 It ends with us is officially being adapted for the big screen – with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni occupy a central place.

“We have actors! Our Lily will be played by Blake Lively. Blake Lively everyone! She is my dream Lily,” Hoover it was revealed via an Instagram video in January 2023. “And then when I first met Justin Baldoni — who is directing the film for It ends with us — I immediately wished he was Ryle. I just thought he had what it took to play the character. And the good news is that he will be Ryle. I think Justin and Blake have what it takes to bring these characters to life and I can’t wait for that to happen.”

The writer made the big announcement from her childhood home, saying the novel – which centers on themes of domestic abuse and violence – is loosely based on her own childhood experience.

“I just want everyone to know how grateful I am to my mother, who got us out of a terrible situation when I was little and brought us here to this house that doesn’t look like much, but was full of love and joy. she explained then. “So thank you, Mom, for making that very difficult decision. … The fact that we’re now talking about a movie based on a book loosely inspired by my mother is bittersweet. So many people had to go through [what she did], but knowing that my mom’s decision helped a lot of people get out of it. I love you mom.”

Published in 2016. It ends with us became a cultural phenomenon on social media and was the best-selling printed book of 2022. The novel remained at The New York Times bestseller list for over 90 weeks.

The story follows a girl named Lily who has just moved and is ready to start life after college. After meeting a doctor named Ryle – who swears by the “no girls” rule – the two begin to fall in love with each other. Just as things are turning around serious, Lily’s first love, Atlas, reappears in her life and questions her new relationship.

The novel is optional in 2019 by Baldoni — who serves as director and star of the film — and Wayfarer Studios, with Hoover serving as a consultant and Chirsty Hall script writing.

“Sorry to tease you…😉 @colleenhoover … are you ready to make #ItEndsWithUs?” the Jane the Virgin alum wrote that on January 2022 TikTok showed him reading the first draft scenario.

Baldoni returned to social media two months later to reassure fans that he was well aware of the importance of keeping the adaptation true to the book. “Do not worry I see EVERYTHING you all label me as 💐🍪📝,” he wrote via TikTok alongside a video of himself furiously typing while “trying to keep up with all It ends with us casting, scene and song requests.”

In July 2022 Five Feet Apart producer and Hoover paired up and selected 10 lucky fans to come together and read the film’s script, giving them a chance to share their feedback on the adaptation.

“A big thank you to the thousands of LA area fans It ends with us for submission and for the ten we selected to join us for a special reading of the script,” he wrote a recap of the event via TikTok in that time. “Your feedback and support has been incredible! We’re one step closer to making this movie thanks to you! We are too excited! More to come!”

Hoover, for her part, shared in January 2023 that she would give fans as much insight into the film’s production as possible. “I’m going to do my best to try and sneak you as many shots as I can without getting kicked off the set,” she said on Instagram.

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