The production of It Ends With Us starring Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively has been paused due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.
The 35-year-old actress had begun filming the romance film It Ends With Us, based on the novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover, prior to the hiatus.
The story follows Lily Bloom, a young woman with a troubled past, exploring themes of abuse, love triangles, heartbreak, and emotional turmoil. The author, Colleen Hoover, has described it as the most challenging book she has ever written.
Deadline reported that the cast received an email from Wayfarer Studios and director Justin Baldoni, star of Jane The Virgin, explaining the shutdown.
The publication says it read: “Due to the ongoing WGA strike and the lost days we have experienced due to picketing, we must make the difficult decision to temporarily shut down production.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for your incredible patience and unwavering dedication throughout this challenging period.”
It is understood that production has only been temporarily paused due to the strike and filming will resume in the future.
Since May 2, more than 11,500 members of the WGA have been on strike, primarily over royalties from streaming media. The action has had major impacts on numerous Hollywood productions and events, including the MTV Movie and TV Awards and Tony Awards.
Fans previously got their first look at Blake as Lily Bloom on the set of the film, with many left unimpressed.
It was announced in January that Blake and Justin Baldoni had been cast to lead the film adaptation of the romance novel.
Blake will feature as 23-year-old Lily Bloom, who has just moved to Boston to begin life after university, opposite Justin, 39, who will play her 30-year-old love interest Doctor Ryle Kincaid.
Despite the immense popularity of It Ends With Us, fans found themselves expressing disappointed with the behind-the-scenes glimpses of the book's adaptation. Avid fans were particularly vocal in their criticism, voicing concerns about the wardrobe choices made for the actress playing the role.
One TikTok user said in a viral clip: “I think most of us were already not thrilled with this casting, but this is kind of confirming the fears. Let me just say that I love Blake Lively – I love her so much – but this is not Lily Bloom.”
Showing additional photos of Blake on set, the fan continued: “Maybe we just need to trust the process, but I kind of just hate that they decided to cast so much older than what the characters in the book were.
“This is just not at all how I would picture Lily and Ryle. I don’t know, we will see, but so far this is not looking that promising.”
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