Blake Lively has publicly stated that her commitment to filming "It Ends with Us," directed by and co-starring Justin Baldoni, was the reason she was unable to host the milestone 50th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live." The actress revealed the scheduling conflict in a recent interview, humorously assigning blame to Baldoni for the missed opportunity. This comes as "Saturday Night Live" recently announced that Ryan Gosling will be hosting the season premiere on September 29th.
Lively, known for her roles in "Gossip Girl" and "The Shallows," expressed her disappointment with the scheduling clash. “I was supposed to do SNL this year, and then Justin was like, ‘We’re filming the movie,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, okay,’” Lively said, referencing the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel. Her statement suggests that the "It Ends with Us" production schedule was inflexible, preventing her from fulfilling the hosting engagement with the long-running sketch comedy show.
The "It Ends with Us" project, a highly anticipated film adaptation of the best-selling romance novel, has been a significant undertaking for both Lively and Baldoni. Baldoni not only co-stars as Ryle Kincaid, the male lead opposite Lively's Lily Bloom, but he is also directing the picture. The dual responsibility likely contributed to the rigid filming timeline, ultimately impacting Lively’s availability for other projects, including "Saturday Night Live."
While Lively's comment was delivered with a lighthearted tone, the underlying message is clear: the demands of filming "It Ends with Us" took precedence over her potential "SNL" hosting duties. This highlights the complex scheduling challenges that actors often face, especially when involved in major productions with multiple roles. The production of "It Ends with Us" has been closely watched by fans of the book, adding to the pressure to adhere to a strict production schedule.
The "Saturday Night Live" Season 50 premiere is set to be a major event, and the decision to have Ryan Gosling host underscores the show's commitment to securing high-profile talent. Gosling, who has previously hosted the show to much acclaim, is a popular choice for the milestone episode. However, Lively's candid comments about the circumstances surrounding her absence have added an unexpected layer of intrigue to the premiere’s lead-up.
Lively's missed "SNL" opportunity does not appear to have created any ill will between her and Baldoni. Her comment was presented as a humorous anecdote, not a serious complaint. The professional relationship between the two actors appears to be strong, with both focused on bringing "It Ends with Us" to the screen. The film, which also stars Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar, is expected to generate considerable buzz upon its release.
The situation underscores the logistical challenges faced by actors in the entertainment industry. Balancing multiple commitments, particularly when involved in both acting and production roles, requires careful planning and often results in difficult choices. Lively's "SNL" scheduling conflict is a prime example of the compromises that actors often make to fulfill their professional obligations.
As "Saturday Night Live" prepares for its landmark 50th season, the revelation of Lively's missed hosting opportunity adds an interesting behind-the-scenes narrative. While fans may have been eager to see Lively take the stage, the demands of "It Ends with Us" ultimately altered the course of events. The focus now shifts to Ryan Gosling’s upcoming hosting gig, and the anticipation for the premiere remains high.
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