For a while, it looked like the sequel to It Ends With Us was dead in the water. The bitter legal fight between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni overshadowed everything about the film, and fans quietly gave up hope of ever seeing more of Colleen Hoover's story on screen.
Now, that story might have a twist of its own. According to new reports, the film adaptation of It Starts With Us could be back on the table — and Justin Baldoni has just broken his silence for the first time in nearly two years.
There's no official announcement yet. But behind the scenes, the conversation appears to have started again, right as the main legal battle finally reached a settlement.
The sequel may be back in play
According to StyleCaster, Justin Baldoni is reportedly already thinking about a new film — one based on Colleen Hoover's follow-up novel, It Starts With Us.
Insiders say that Wayfarer Studios still holds the screen rights to the book, which means there's no legal obstacle standing in the way of a sequel. For months, the industry had all but written the project off, as the scandals surrounding the first film dominated the headlines.
But within the studio, talk of continuing the franchise has apparently resurfaced. A source close to the production said that many people believed the film series was gone for good, while studios and producers worried that all the negative press made a new movie far too risky.
Justin Baldoni wants to focus on filmmaking again
For Baldoni, the settlement reportedly represents a fresh start.
According to one insider, the actor-director can finally leave behind the months of lawsuits, constant criticism and crisis management — and return to what brought him to Hollywood in the first place: making films.
The source who spoke to StyleCaster said Baldoni still believes in Colleen Hoover's stories, and feels audiences are ready to talk about the movies again, rather than the drama that surrounded them. If you've been following the wider world of Colleen Hoover adaptations, this shift in tone is worth watching.
Will Blake Lively return?
This is the question no one can answer with certainty right now.
According to StyleCaster, the current plans for the sequel don't hinge on Blake Lively returning. That said, one insider claimed Baldoni wouldn't rule out working together again if it served the future of the film series.
The source stressed that the director isn't interested in revenge or rehashing old arguments — his focus is simply on getting back to making movies.
Still, neither side has officially confirmed that Blake Lively would take part in any potential sequel.
The main lawsuit is over, but questions remain
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's central legal dispute was settled earlier this spring, but the fight over legal fees is still ongoing. Lively is seeking more than $8 million in legal costs, while Baldoni recently asked the court to reject or significantly reduce that amount.
During settlement talks, Lively reportedly pushed for a strict non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that would have prevented both sides from speaking publicly about the case in the future. According to the outlet's insiders, Baldoni's legal team didn't agree to it. Neither side has officially confirmed these details.
Justin Baldoni speaks out for the first time in two years
Once the settlement was reached, Justin Baldoni spoke publicly for the first time in nearly two years. In a video shared on social media, he appeared alongside his wife, Emily Baldoni, to reflect on the past period of their lives.
The actor explained that they had stayed silent on purpose, because they didn't want to add any more noise to the conflict.
According to Baldoni, what happened was deeply painful for them — but their family, friends, faith and community helped them get through it.
Emily Baldoni said the last few years had been a serious trauma for their family, which is why it took so long before they felt ready to speak out.
The actor also emphasized that healing doesn't happen overnight, but that today they see much more clearly what truly matters in their lives.
So, will It Starts With Us actually get made?
For now, there's no official confirmation that the sequel has been given the green light, and no word on who might return for a new film.
What does seem likely is that the project is back on the agenda, and the studio still holds the rights it needs to move forward. If It Starts With Us really does make it to the screen, it could become one of the most closely watched romantic film comebacks in recent years.
The sequel's fate is still far from certain — but based on the developments of the past few weeks, a second Colleen Hoover adaptation no longer looks off the table. Until there's an official announcement, though, every report is worth taking with a healthy dose of caution.
What is It Starts With Us about?
It's the follow-up novel to Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, and the story a potential sequel film would be based on. The screen rights are still held by Wayfarer Studios.
Has the sequel been officially confirmed?
No. There's no official announcement that the film has been green-lit. Reports suggest the project is back under discussion, but nothing is confirmed yet.
Will Blake Lively be in the sequel?
That remains unclear. Current plans reportedly don't depend on her return, and neither side has confirmed whether she would take part.
Is the legal dispute between Lively and Baldoni over?
The main lawsuit was settled earlier this spring, but a separate process over legal fees is still ongoing, with Lively seeking more than $8 million in costs.
