Colleen Hoover speaks out about It Ends With Us casting criticism

Best-selling author Colleen Hoover will see one of her stories come to life on the big screen very soon. The romance novelist’s 2016 novel It Ends With Us is being adapted into a feature film with a yet-to-be-determined release date. While this is an exciting moment for Hoover and fans of her work, she’s found herself defending the upcoming flick because of criticism from some of her supporters.

Colleen Hoover loves the casting choices for It Ends With Us

It Ends With Us is one of Hoover’s most popular books. The plot follows the complicated love story between Lily Bloom and Ryle Kincaid, whose relationship is tested by the arrival of Lily’s ex Atlas Corrigan.

When the news broke that a film version of the novel was being developed, fans were ecstatic. However, that excitement was quickly diminished by the announced casting choices.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni will play the lead characters Lily and Ryle respectively, in the upcoming film. While it’s obvious that having big name stars can generate a lot of buzz for the film which can prove it doing well at the box office, the casting of Lively and Baldoni has been met with criticism.

Fans have argued that 35-year-old Lively and 39-year-old Baldoni are too old to play Lily and Ryle. In the book, Lily is 23 and Ryle is 30.

While fans have an issue with the casting, Hoover doesn’t see anything wrong with it. In a recent interview with Today, Hoover says the age issue can be blamed on her.

"”Back when I wrote It Ends With Us, the new adult genre was very popular. You were writing college-age characters. That’s what I was contracted to do. I made Lily very young. I didn’t know that neurosurgeons went to school for 50 years. There’s not a 20-something neurosurgeon. As I started making this movie, I’m like we need to age them out because I messed up. So it’s my fault.”"

Hoover, who has been a fan of Lively since the actress’ Gossip Girl days, is thrilled to have her on board. The author is working closely with Baldoni, who is also producing and directing the film and is loving what she’s seen so far.

Book-to-movie adaptations are usually met with its fair share of criticisms, and although this movie adaption has its own, Hoover promises her readers will like the end result.

"“You guys are going to be so happy. I’m extremely happy and now my expectations are up and I’m going to keep them there.”"

Unfortunately, fans might have to wait a while for the big-screen debut of It Ends With Us. The film has halted production because of the WGA strike.

What do you think of the casting choices? Do you think age is that big of a deal? Keep up to date with Culturess for more It Ends with Us news and coverage.