Blake Lively recently shared her excitement about the synergy between her new film, “It Ends With Us,” and her close friend Taylor Swift. The movie, set to hit theaters on August 9, features Swift’s haunting track “My Tears Ricochet” in its official trailer. Lively, who stars in and executive produces the film, believes the collaboration is a perfect match.
During a Q&A session at Book Bonanza, an event co-founded by the book’s author Colleen Hoover, Lively expressed how the song’s lyrics resonate deeply with the film’s themes. “My Tears Ricochet,” from Swift’s 2020 Grammy-winning album “Folklore,” was produced with Jack Antonoff and Joe Alwyn. The song’s poignant lyrics about a woman haunting her murderer align with the film’s exploration of domestic abuse and personal reckoning.
Lively emphasized the connection between Hoover and Swift as women who author their own stories. She praised Swift’s ability to write from personal experiences with vulnerability, drawing a parallel to Hoover’s storytelling. Hoover, who began her career as a self-published author, has created a narrative that resonates with many, much like Swift’s music.
At the Book Bonanza panel, Lively also discussed her connection to her character, Lily Bloom. She highlighted the importance of understanding and loving the character one portrays. Lively teased that every actor in the film delivers a revelatory performance. The movie, adapted by Christy Hall, features a star-studded cast including Jenny Slate, Brandon Sklenar, Isabela Ferrer, Alex Neustaedter, Amy Morton, and Hasan Minhaj.
In an earlier interview with PEOPLE, Lively spoke about the honor of stepping into a character that has had a significant impact on readers. She acknowledged the mixed feelings surrounding the film adaptation, noting that fans of the book have strong opinions about the casting and other aspects of the movie. However, the inclusion of Swift’s song in the trailer has generated excitement among fans, potentially swaying some skeptics.
The first trailer for “It Ends With Us” showcases the emotional depth of the film, with Swift’s “My Tears Ricochet” setting the tone. The trailer depicts the blossoming romance between Lively’s Lily Bloom and Justin Baldoni’s Ryle Kincaid, which becomes complicated with the return of Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan, played by Brandon Sklenar. The film’s logline describes Lily’s journey of overcoming a traumatic childhood and navigating a tumultuous relationship.
Hoover admitted she was initially shocked by Lively’s casting, given the age difference between the actress and the character. However, she expressed her admiration for Lively, whom she has been a fan of since “Gossip Girl.” Lively, who dyed her hair red for the role, has received praise from Baldoni for her nuanced and unique performance.
Lively shared her love for the character Lily and hopes that audiences will feel the same connection. The film, based on Hoover’s bestselling novel, has generated significant buzz, especially with the involvement of Swift. The friendship between Lively and Swift adds another layer of interest, as the two have been close for years. Swift’s song “Gorgeous” from her “Reputation” album even features Lively’s daughter James.
The trailer for “It Ends With Us” has sparked excitement on social media, with fans expressing their enthusiasm for the collaboration between Lively and Swift. Comments on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) highlight the emotional impact of the song choice and the anticipation for the film’s release.
As the release date approaches, fans of both Lively and Swift are eagerly awaiting the film. The combination of a beloved book, a star-studded cast, and Swift’s evocative music promises to make “It Ends With Us” a must-see movie this summer.
