AceShowbiz - Amid the release of "It Ends With Us", an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's popular book, actor and director Justin Baldoni has hired veteran PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan.

The news comes after speculation surfaced on TikTok about a rift between Baldoni and his cast and crew, including co-star and producer Blake Lively and author Colleen Hoover. The chatter emerged due to Baldoni's absence at joint press events, lack of group photos with Lively, and the observation that Lively, Hoover and other cast members do not follow Baldoni on Instagram.

Nathan, who launched The Agency Group this summer, specializes in crisis management and reputation services. She previously worked for crisis strategist Matthew Hiltzik and represented Johnny Depp during the Amber Heard trial.

Sources have indicated that a disagreement between Baldoni and Lively occurred during post-production, resulting in two different cuts of the movie. Lively reportedly commissioned a cut from Shane Reid, an editor who worked on "Deadpool & Wolverine". It is unknown whether any of his work was used in the final version, which was credited to editors Oona Flaherty and Robb Sullivan.

Baldoni has faced negative headlines alleging that he made Lively uncomfortable on set. However, he has praised Lively's creative contributions and stated that he stepped back at times to allow the women to take charge, given the film's female perspective and focus on domestic violence.