‘It Ends With Us’ Star Brandon Sklenar Defends Women Involved in Film in Viral Social Media Post

Amid the recent It Ends With Us movie controversy, star Brandon Sklenar has taken to Instagram to voice his opinions on how people are treating both the film, his onscreen counterpart, Blake Lively, and the women involved in the project both in front of and behind the camera. 

The actor posted the now-viral message as alleged drama between cast escalates, writing, “[Author] Colleen [Hoover] and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves. Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about. It is, in fact, the opposite of the point.” He continued, “What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film. It's been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.” 

 Brandon Sklenar’s comments on ‘ It Ends with Us’  

This all comes after multiple new outlets and social media goers have reported that there is tension between It Ends With Us director, producer and star Justin Baldoni and the rest of the cast over how the film was being promoted and alleged drama that occurred while filming. 

Baldoni was never pictured with the rest of the cast at premieres worldwide, and was noticeably absent from the press tour in which Lively and the rest of her costars took the chance to promote the film as rom-com, not a film about domestic violence. 

Sklenar also commented on the issues taken with the film’s promotion, writing: “Trust me when I tell you, there isn't a single person involved in the making of this film who was not aware of the responsibility we had in making this. A responsibility to all the women who have experienced generational trauma - Domestic abuse - Or struggle with looking in the mirror and loving who they see.” 

He also commented on what he thinks It Ends with Us is about by writing, “This movie is a harsh reality check for the men who need to get their sh*t together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions. This film is meant to inspire. It's meant to validate and recognize. It's meant to instill hope. It's meant to build courage and help people feel less alone. Ultimately, it's meant to spread love and awareness. It is not meant to, once again, make the women the ‘bad guy,’ let's move beyond that together.” 

Sklenar, who plays Atlas Corrigan in the film, is the first member of the cast to comment on the film's alleged behind-the-scenes drama. 

 Brandon Sklenar’s personal connection to the film 

In the post, the actor opened up about how much both the film and book meant to him, writing, “Someone very close to me has been struggling with a relationship that has mirrored Lilly's closely. I feel a responsibility to bring this to life and help spread that message further. Prior to my involvement in this film, she had not heard of the book. It was only then that she read it. She credits Colleen's book and subsequently this film with saving her.” 

Before being cast as Atlas, Sklenar was best known for his role as Spencer Dutton in the hit Yellowstone spinoff 1923. 

Brandon Sklenar wants the ‘It Ends With Us’ drama to stop 

Sklenar ended his post by urging people to stop the online hate, writing, “Before you spread hate on the internet, ask yourself who it's helping. Ask yourself if your opinions are based on any fact. Or if you simply want to be a part of something. Let's be a part of something better together. A part of a new story being written for women and all people everywhere.” 

The post had no caption and Sklenar disabled the comment section. The actor also tagged Blake Lively, Isabela Ferrer, Jenny Slate, the movie's female stars, as well as the author of the book Colleen Hoover.

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