Justin Baldoni talks about handling 'complex personalities' on 'It Ends With Us' amid Blake Lively feud

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The film 'It Ends With Us' appears to be a hit upon its release but the Internet is going crazy over the alleged behind-the-scenes flux between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

Baldoni, who adapted the acclaimed novel by Colleen Hoover for the big screen, recently shared his vision for the film, the "complex personalities" who inspired it, and his character Ryle Kincaid’s insecurities.

Justin Baldoni says he had to deal with 'complex personalities' while working on 'It Ends With Us'

In an interview with Today.com on Friday, August 9, Justin Baldoni described creating the Colleen Hoover adaptation as an "extreme challenge" at moments, emphasizing that it was his first time taking on the dual role of actor and director. 

The 40-year-old claimed that it was not an easy task given that he was handling some "big" personalities in addition to playing a major role.

"Every movie is a miracle. And then, of course, you're navigating complex personalities and trying to get everybody on the same page with the same vision. And mistakes are always made, and then you figure out how to move past them," said Baldoni.

However, the 'Jane the Virgin' actor added that he approached directing the adaptation—which stars Lively, Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate, and Isabela Ferrer—in a highly cooperative manner.

"I'm a 'best idea wins' person, and I always have been, to a fault," remarked Baldoni. 

According to him, there were moments when he felt as though people were questioning "if I know what I'm doing or if I have a point of view because I'm so willing to have my vision changed."

"You don't have to listen to everybody and that didn't happen all the time but there were just moments where I would get out of the way too much," noted the filmmaker. 

However, Baldoni—who shares two children, Maiya, 9, and Maxwell, 6, with his wife, Emily Baldoni—continued to hold the view that, in the end, everything will work out for the best. He shared, "I don't believe that inspiration or creativity comes through one person."

There were other instances where he thought it was appropriate to take a step back, such as when he asked the intimacy coordinator and stunt coordinator to take charge of the more delicate parts of the movie that featured domestic abuse.

He explained, "The last thing I wanted to do was have a male gaze penetrate these very important moments that need to be told in a truthful way to represent all of the women that experience them every day."

Justin Baldoni praises co-star Blake Lively's contribution to 'It Ends With Us' amid alleged feud

Justin Baldoni has talked highly about his co-star Blake Lively during the press tour despite rumors of an alleged dispute. 

He most recently referred to her as a "creative force" and commended her efforts on the movie.

"You can't summarize Blake's contribution in a sentence," said Baldoni to Today.com, before adding, "Because her energy and imprint is all over the movie and really, really made the film better, and from beginning to end."

Thanking Lively's "creative genius" husband Ryan Reynolds, the actor said he would collaborate with the pair "if they'd have me."

Despite the outpouring of compliments, a lot of fans have conjectured that things were not quite as easy behind the scenes, with many highlighting the fact that Baldoni hasn't accompanied the rest of the cast in marketing the movie.

"There are often several cuts during the post-production process and it's the very nature of post-production," told an insider to E! News in reaction to rumors that the movie had undergone multiple changes.

The source added, "And everyone was in complete agreement about the final cut of the film and that it's the best version of the film."