Sony Pictures Entertainment
Despite what the title may suggest, "It Ends With Us" is just the first chapter in Colleen Hoover's viral BookTok series.
The adaptation of the 2016 best-selling novel starring Blake Lively has got the internet talking for more than one reason — and director-star Justin Baldoni has already raised the possibility of a sequel to the film.
Speaking at the New York premiere of "It Ends With US," Baldoni told Entertainment Tonight: "I think there are better people for that one."
"I think Blake Lively's ready to direct. That's what I think," he added.
But a reported rift between Baldoni and Lively may complicate things, as Baldoni has the rights to the sequel, he told Variety in July.
"We have the option on it," Baldoni said, referring to his production company Wayfarer Studios. He added: "I haven't even begun to think that far ahead. I'm trying to stay in the present as much as I can."
For those curious about what such a sequel could look like, here's what happens in the second book and what screenwriter Christy Hall had to say about the likelihood of seeing a second movie adaptation.
While "It Ends With Us" has had a mixed response from critics, audiences have heaped praise on the movie, and it currently holds a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
But as any Hollywood exec would tell you, the likelihood of a sequel will likely depend on the movie's box office performance.
The film has grossed more than $180 million worldwide since it hit theaters on August 9 — well above its reported budget of $25 million.
Jojo Whilden/Sony Pictures Ent.
On the prospect of a sequel, Christy Hall, who adapted the novel for the big screen, told Business Insider: "Colleen has an empire that everyone in Hollywood wants to have a piece of."
"Everyone wants to be in business with Colleen so I would be interested to know who controls the rights to all of her materials at this point because I would be shocked if she's not set all over town," she added.
If the job were to fall to her again, Hall said she would not turn it down "because it's just been the joy of a lifetime to work with her material and with her as a person."
"I will just say, Colleen: I'd happily adapt anything with you always," she added.
The sequel, which was published in 2022, picks up immediately after the final scene from "It Ends With Us."
Hoover notes in a message to fans at the beginning of the book that the second novel offers readers a "much lighter experience" than the first, adding that she wrote the book after being "inundated with requests for more Lily and Atlas" from fans.
(Warning: spoilers for "It Starts With Us" below).
Amazon
That's not to say that the plot is drama-free entirely; themes of abuse weigh heavy on the story once again, with Atlas Corrigan (played by Brandon Sklenar in the movie adaptation of "It Ends With Us") discovering that he has a younger brother named Josh who has run away from his abusive household.
The book also shows how Lily is able to set boundaries to keep herself safe both physically and mentally.
While fans will have to wait and see if "It Starts With Us" will make it to theaters, they'll be glad to know that another Hoover adaptation is already on the way.
The author's 2018 novel "Verity" is in development at Amazon MGM Studios, Variety reported in May.
