Blake Lively looked ‘scared’ on set, but ‘submissiveness’ can be ‘misleading’
Rumors of BLAKE Lively and Justin Baldoni’s feud — and speculation about what’s behind it — have taken over social media.
But while the It Ends With Us cast members remain mum, a body language expert says there are useful tips to be gleaned from recently surfaced footage, including a possible warning flag.
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Rumors are swirling that Blake, 36, and Justin, 40, are in the middle of a rift, and social media users are eager to find out what really happened between the two on set.
They haven’t been photographed together at all during promotion of the film and Blake appears to have dodged questions about their collaboration.
But no one involved in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s book has given a clear answer as to what exactly is going on.
The buzz has led to old clips are resurfacing – and according to a body language expert, they contain clues about the origins of the so-called feud.
Judi James said the clips showed elements of “disagreement” while on set, even as they brought smiles to the faces of fans and crew.
“At first glance, their body language seemed collaborative, with both leads producing or directing,” she told The US Sun.
Blake was a producer on the film, while big boss Justin was the director.
“There were no clear signs of a confrontation, but I would be inclined to say they may not work together again,” James continued.
“Blake seemed to be offering, suggesting or checking directions on set.
But there was more than met the eye.
“A number of more detailed gestures showed that there was disagreement,” she said.
Blake showed slight signs of submissiveness and fear during her conversations with Justin.
“The lack of a unifying attitude from them together, even as they try to show signs of unity and friendship, seems like a red flag.”
SUBMITTED BLAKE?
James noted that the Gossip Girl star did something that sounded like “anxious hand-wringing” in one clip.
“She sucked her lips in like she was submissive,” James said.
Blake seemed to take over here at times.
Judi James
“She held the high handhold and then twisted it in what looked like a fear ritual, so Blake was indeed anxious on set.
“Blake’s submissive rituals, however, can be misleading.”
IS BLAKE THE BOSS?
Other footage showed Blake making the decisions.
James noted that when Justin was the director, Blake showed some “directional signals” that could indicate she was “taking charge and making her suggestions.”
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“Blake seemed to take over here at times,” she noted.
“Still, as long as Justin is in charge, their body language seems to fit pretty well on a film set.
“Overall, across all the online clips, there was no visually dominant winner between Justin and Blake in the battle of the power pose.”
WHAT’S GOING ON, PEOPLE?
Talk of a feud between Blake and Justin is growing as they promote the film through interviews and red carpet appearances.
They posed separately at the New York premiere. Blake was joined by other co-stars for interviews, but Justin posed alone.
Blake and several co-stars, including Jenny Slate, are said to have unfollowed Justin on Instagram.
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The Hollywood Reporter claimed that problems arose between the two over two film versions, one of Justin and one of Blake.
Blake also revealed that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, wrote part of a pivotal scene.
Some TikTokers are speculating that Blake has ousted Justin from his directing duties.
She has since spoken out about her hands-on approach to the film.
Blake took on a slightly more dominant role.
Judi James
“The work I did as a producer was much more all-consuming than anything I did when I played Lily. I just did everything. There’s nothing I didn’t touch in this movie,” Blake said. Variety.
“I put everything into this and I’m proud of it. It’s one of the greatest gifts of my life, and certainly of my career,” she added.
Some fans have also raised doubts about Blake’s promotion of the film, accusing her of viewing it as a lighthearted romantic comedy that you can watch with girlfriends while wearing floral dresses.
Justin is the only cast member who consistently discusses domestic violence, a central theme in the book and film.
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TWO SIDES OF THE STORY
While Justin and Blake haven’t talked about a split, insiders have made claims about the relationship.
DailyMail.com According to an insider, Justin created a “tense atmosphere on set.”
“During scenes depicting abuse, Justin failed to consider Blake’s character’s perspective and instead focused solely on what he saw as the abusive man’s point of view,” they told the publication.
“His approach was very chauvinistic and created a tense atmosphere on set,” the source said.
Interestingly, Justin also told CBS on Wednesday that he was scared to act in the film.
“As a man, I’m always going to come with my own biases, which is one of the reasons I was afraid to direct this film, let alone act in it,” he said.
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“I wanted to make sure that this film always had a female gaze, and I never wanted to insert myself into it.”
On Thursday there was talk about the Show todaythe actor stumbled when Sheinelle asked him about Blake.
IT HAPPENED
According to James, one of the clamps showed Justin looking “cooperative.”
“Blake was seen during filming showing Justin how to drag her into their clinch by doing it to himself first,” she said.
“Blake took on a little bit more of a dominant role.
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“This direction of his movements could have been a point of contention for some actors, if both wanted to impose their directorial hierarchy on each other.
“This moment seemed to go well.
Blake pulled him toward him and his response seemed reasonable and accommodating.
“His eyebrows go up in a flash, suggesting he gets it, and he seems happy to be shown what he’s supposed to be doing here.”
Another one clamp showed “cold elements” including a “polite truce.”
“Blake and Justin’s torsos are never really facing each other and never really close together,” James said.
“Yet all this indicated that there was no definitive, hostility-fueled collapse.”
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