Will we ever know how it ends?

After three weeks in theaters, "It Ends With Us," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, has become a box office hit, having grossed $242 million worldwide. Ticket sales are expected to reach at least $285 million to $300 million. In a summer dominated by films aimed at children and teenage boys, "It Ends With Us" is the rare cinematic event that appeals to a female audience.

It’s also hugely profitable. “It Ends With Us” cost $25 million to produce and is expected to generate at least $25 million to $30 million in profits for both Sony (which distributed the film) and director-star Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios (which co-financed the film with TSG Entertainment). Another source familiar with the deal puts the figure at double that. Those margins don’t include theatrical take or box office bonuses for star Blake Lively and Baldoni.

There’s already a sequel to the novel, “It Starts With Us,” so there’s no need to stretch the source material to exploit a hit, “Big Little Lies” style. And the existence of that sequel should be a clear sign that moviegoers haven’t seen the last of Lily, Ryle and Atlas — the characters played by Lively, Baldoni and Brandon Sklenar, respectively — in the film. Hollywood players typically capitalize on positive box office headlines by accelerating the announcement of a new installment. But an apparent feud between Lively and Baldoni that has gone public has made any sequel plans look shaky.