Blake Lively recently sparked a buzz
after a resurfaced video showed her jokingly claiming to have “stolen” a rough cut of the *It Ends With Us* movie to screen at Colleen Hoover’s Book Bonanza in 2024.
In the footage, captured during the popular book festival in Grapevine, Texas, the actress revealed details about
how she managed to bring an unfinished version of the film to share with the 2,000 attendees,
despite not having explicit permission from the studio or the film’s production company.
Lively, known for her role as a book lover and fan of Hoover’s work, began her speech by teasing the audience about what was to come.
“This is not a bit, it’s literally not done,” Lively declared. She then recounted how the studio initially wanted to show only a small portion of the film, but she and Hoover were determined to give the crowd something much more exciting.
She explained the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded as the film’s production team hesitated to share any of the footage, citing that the movie wasn’t complete. “To be honest, what really happened is we were like, ‘We’re going to show the movie,’ and the studio was like, ‘No, no, you’re going to show 20 minutes,'” Lively said. “We’re like, ‘No, we’re going to show the movie,’ and they’re like, ‘It’s not done.'” Despite these warnings, Lively seemed to take matters into her own hands.
In a bold move, Lively allegedly flew to Texas with a rough cut of the film packed into a folder and a hard drive. “I literally brought the movie on an airplane,” she said, describing how she transported the footage. It was clear from her tone that she was excited to share an exclusive sneak peek with the Book Bonanza crowd, many of whom were fans of Hoover’s bestselling novel.
Hoover, who wrote the novel *It Ends With Us* and was present during the event, echoed Lively’s enthusiasm. She referred to the screening as an “early, early cut,” but emphasized the chaotic and high-stakes nature of the situation. “You know, bussing 2,000 people to a movie theater sounds like a chaotic nightmare, so I just need you all to be excited and patient,” Hoover said, making light of the massive undertaking.
The moment quickly became a viral topic, with many fans and social media users reacting to Lively’s cheeky remarks. Some people were shocked that she would take such a risk, with one commenter even questioning why Sony or Wayfarer Studios hadn’t taken action against her. Others expressed frustration over the perceived lack of respect for the process, with one user commenting, “Seriously, she did what she wanted and did not respect anyone.”
Despite the playful tone of her speech, the video resurfaced amid more serious developments surrounding Lively’s relationship with the *It Ends With Us* production. In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, the film’s director and co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, accusing him of sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment on set. Baldoni has since launched a website to defend himself against these allegations, providing his side of the story.
While it’s unclear whether Lively’s claims were intended as a joke or if she had some form of approval from the studio, the incident raises interesting questions about the balance between creativity, autonomy, and professionalism in the entertainment industry. The dynamic between Lively, Hoover, and Baldoni, along with the ongoing legal issues, continues to make headlines, and it seems that more twists and turns are on the horizon for the *It Ends With Us* film.
As the legal battle plays out, Lively’s role in the drama surrounding the film and her impromptu screening at Book Bonanza will likely remain a hot topic. Whether or not she truly “stole” the rough cut or was simply pushing the limits of what she could share with the fans, one thing is certain—her boldness and passion for the project have left an unforgettable mark on the *It Ends With Us* journey.
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