Justin Baldoni expressed his gratitude to fans of his film It Ends With Us as the summer hit arrived on Netflix, months after the actor-director’s shaky relationship with the film’s headliner Blake Lively made headlines.
‘I just want to say thank you to all the fans – to everybody,’ Baldoni, 40, told TMZ in New York City on Tuesday.
The movie, which also starred Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar and Kevin McKidd, arrived in theaters August 9 and was a hit with audiences. It earned $148 million in domestic box office, and $350 million globally, according to Box Office Mojo.
‘Thank you for seeing this movie, for supporting it, for supporting survivors, and for helping us make sure that the message didn’t get lost,’ Baldoni said. ‘I’m just so grateful to all the fans. We’re just so grateful, the movie’s out on Netflix.’
Baldoni was also asked about remarks he made last week while appearing on the How to Fail with Elizabeth Day podcast about his mindset while making the film.
On the podcast, he said, ‘Directing is a very lonely job, I’ll just be very candid, because you are kind of at the top of this totem pole.’
Justin Baldoni, 40, expressed his gratitude to fans of his film It Ends With Us as the summer hit arrived on Netflix. Pictured in LA earlier this month
The movie starring Blake Lively and Baldoni (who also directed) arrived in theaters August 9 and was a hit, earning $148 million in domestic box office, and $350 million globally
He added, ‘In your moments of quiet, everybody has a thousand questions for you and also nobody wants to disturb you.
‘And you don’t really have many people to talk to and you can’t necessarily share your anxiety or your nervousness about something because you’re also the leader.’
Baldoni followed up on those remarks Tuesday, saying, ‘I think all directors feel lonely – it’s a strange place.’
Asked what his next moves are, Baldoni said he was ‘taking a vacation’ with his family as the holidays approach.
Baldoni behaved in a ‘chauvinistic’ and ‘borderline abusive’ manner during filming of the motion picture, sources told DailyMail.com at the time the film was released.
Baldoni had been ‘dismissive’ of suggestions made by Lively ‘during scenes depicting abuse,’ sources said.
Baldoni ‘failed to consider Blake’s character’s perspective, instead focusing solely on what he believed was the abusive male viewpoint’ and that ‘his approach was very chauvinistic, creating a tense atmosphere on set,’ the source said.
The source said that Baldoni ‘almost became the character in the sense that some women on set felt he was borderline abusive to them and that he was unprofessional and unapologetic.’
Baldoni was pictured Tuesday at ABC Studios in NYC promoting the Netflix release of his film
Baldoni was pictured on the set of It Ends With Us, which earned $148 million in domestic box office, and $350 million globally
Baldoni took to Instagram earlier Tuesday to promote the film’s availability on Netflix.
‘Big news! @itendswithusmovie is now on Netflix in America!’ Baldoni said. Thank you to everyone who has supported this film … [which] continues to be available for purchase on other platforms.’
Baldoni acknowledged his co-workers on the film, saying that ‘so many incredible people poured their love, energy, and intention into this adaptation with one hope: to create a story that could inspire action.’
Baldoni said he was impacted by the feedback he’s received in the months since the release of the movie, which was based of the novel from author Colleen Hoover.
‘To everyone who has reached out with your messages – you’ve touched me more than you’ll ever know,’ Baldoni said. ‘If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Visit @nomoreorg for more information.’
