'It Ends With Us' set turns toxic: Justin Baldoni's clash extends beyond Blake Lively, cast revolts

Despite a successful box office opening of $50 million, the film "It Ends With Us" is grappling with a brewing storm behind the scenes. A source close to the production has revealed to PEOPLE that the reported creative differences between director Justin Baldoni and star Blake Lively are just the tip of the iceberg.

Allegedly, Baldoni's behavior on set has led to a major rift, with the main cast and even author Colleen Hoover wanting nothing to do with him. The allegations range from Baldoni creating a difficult working environment to exhibiting "chauvinistic" and "borderline abusive" behavior.   

The film, based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel, explores the complexities of a toxic relationship, with Lively portraying Lily Bloom, a florist who falls for Baldoni's character, neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid.   

Rumours of discord intensified leading up to the movie's release, with Baldoni doing most press appearances solo and noticeably absent from photos with the cast at the New York premiere. The lack of social media interaction between Baldoni and key figures like Lively, Hoover, and co-star Jenny Slate further fueled the speculation.   

Baldoni's recent suggestion that Lively should direct the sequel and his absence from the London premiere added another layer to the controversy. Lively, who also served as a producer on the film, has been vocal about her significant contributions to the project, extending beyond her acting role.   

While the film has found success at the box office, these behind-the-scenes issues cast a shadow over its achievements. Whether or not these allegations impact the potential sequel remains to be seen.