Credit: Marvel StudiosFollowing a record-breaking performance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a star has been embroiled in a massive wave of backlash, putting a sequel in doubt.
Fans have put Marvel Studios on the tightrope, stirring severe backlash against some of the latest projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to “woke” accusations, unappealing plots, and scandals surrounding multiple Marvel stars that have forced the studio to sever bonds with them.
Regardless, Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) broke countless box office records, including the Biggest Global Opening since Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), the Biggest Domestic Opening Ever for Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, and the Second-highest opening weekend for a third installment of all time.
The movie introduced Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a move fans had been begging for the longest time. Of course, Wolverine was not the only Marvel superhero on the A-list to make an appearance (heads up, spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched Deadpool & Wolverine!).
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Ryan Reynolds pulled every string he could to make the third Deadpool installment genuinely memorable, from personally visiting Madonna to use “Like a Prayer” in the movie to bringing stars like Jennifer Garner, Wesley Snipes, and Dafne Keen to reprise their roles as Elektra, Blade, and Laura (AKA X-23), as well as having Channing Tatum take the mantle of Remy LeBeau/ Gambit.
Other notable cameos include Chris Evans reprising his role as Johnny Storm/ Human Torch, Henry Cavill appearing as Cavillrine (a Wolverine variant that “just feels right!”), Alioth (from the Disney+ original series Loki season 1, episode 5), and Ryan Reynold’s wife, Blake Lively, stunning as Ladypool.
Unfortunately, the latter has been embroiled in a polarizing feud that could hinder a sequel to her latest movie.
Oh yes, before we move on, we have to post an image from that scene.
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Lively’s appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine did not go unnoticed. However, the new Marvel star has made headlines for different reasons lately.
While promoting It Ends With Us (2024), a new movie based on Colleen Hoover’s book of the same name, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have been put in the spotlight due to their distant relationship and the fact that Baldoni and the rest of the cast have attended most of the movie’s press tour separately.
Additionally, Blake Lively has faced severe criticism for her promotional approach, with many finding it tone-deaf. Lively has focused on promoting her new haircare line and sparkling beverage company and encouraged fans to “wear their florals” to screenings—in true 2023 Barbie fashion—in homage to her character, who is a florist.
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Fans have found this approach insensitive to the film’s heavy themes of domestic violence and are accusing Lively of misinterpreting the film as a light-hearted romance. Many believe she, unlike co-star Baldoni, is minimizing the themes of abuse.
According to a Forbes report, some moviegoers have also reported being unprepared for the film’s intense subject matter and having no idea what they were really walking in to watch.
Many have also praised Baldoni for being vocal about the film’s true nature and spreading awareness about intimate partner violence.
X (formerly known as Twitter) user @Swiran took this contrasting approach as inspiration to imagine how Lively would have promoted other movies with sensitive topics like slavery and racism.
Justin Baldoni is the only one promoting “it ends with us” as what it is: A MOVIE ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. Not even the damn book’s writer is doing that. It’s not wear your florals for this rom-com.
How Blake Lively is promoting “It Ends with Us”:
How Blake Lively is promoting “It Ends with Us": pic.twitter.com/dLMPKdyl0j
— Daylight 𓂆 🌻 (@Swiran) August 14, 2024
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A sequel to the novel that inspired this movie already exists, “It Starts With Us,” which could be a clear sign that moviegoers have not seen the last of Lily, Ryle, and Atlas, played by Lively, Baldoni, and Brandon Sklenar, respectively.
However, the personal differences between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni and the on-screen and off-screen drama surrounding the movie could lead to the cancellation of a sequel. A Variety report states that a source familiar with the situation has said, “There’s probably no world where these two will work together again.”
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Baldoni has suggested he would not direct the sequel, telling Entertainment Tonight at the movie’s premiere, “I think there are better people for that. I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct.” Baldoni’s character plays a much smaller role in the second book’s narrative, making it easier for him to step aside as an actor.
If “It Starts With Us” were to be reimagined as a sequel to the current blockbuster It Ends With Us, Lively would need to come to an arrangement with Baldoni, given his role as a producer.
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