Justin Baldoni, the upcoming director and star of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel It Ends With Us, could barely contain his feelings about Blake Lively playing the lead role of Lily. The director told PEOPLE that he was thrilled to have Lively on board, finally saying she was born for this role.

"When Blake's name came up for Lily, she ticked all the right boxes," he revealed, stating that while there was one issue, which was the red hair, the character's trait wasn't a big deal in cinematic terms. He said the most important thing was getting someone with some charm, likability, and strength that viewers would cheer for, and Lively fit that bill quite nicely.

Baldoni further praised Lively's contribution to the film, as he noticed her complete engagement in the process since her first day on board. "Blake is not just an actress; she's a creative force. She's also an executive producer on this project, and her brilliance shines through in every way," he said.

Baldoni thinks that her performance as Lily will resonate greatly with women and offer the storyline a unique perspective. He admits to watching all Lively's past movies before working up the nerve to finally contact her—certain she could bring something special new to the screen.

He recalled the first time he heard Lively in character as Lily, describing it as a moment of awe when he was captivated by her performance that he forgot momentarily about the filming. "It was at that moment that I knew this movie was going to work, and I just had to make sure that I didn't get in the way of that," he added.

It Ends with Us is coming to theaters tomorrow, August 9.