Brandon Sklenar called out the negativity surrounding the rumored drama that demonized “the women” behind him It ends with us.
The actor, who plays Atlas Corrigan in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, posted on social media defending Hoover and star Blake Lively.
“I wanted to take a minute and address all of the sentiments floating around the internet,” Sklenar wrote in a statement on Instagram. “Colleen and the women in this cast represent hope, perseverance, and women choosing to live better lives. Demonizing the women who put so much heart and soul into this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and distracts from what this film is about.”
He continued, “In fact, the opposite is true. What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not, and hopefully should not, detract from our intentions in making this film. It has been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.”
Rumors circulated online about drama between director and star Justin Baldoni and Lively, with online conspiracy theorists pointing out that the lead actors were not seen together during the press tour.
It Ends With Us is an adaptation of the 2016 novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover. The film, directed by Baldoni from a screenplay by Christy Hall, follows Lively’s Lily Bloom, a recent college graduate who moves to Boston to start a new chapter in her life. When Lily meets Baldoni’s Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgeon completing his residency there, the two find themselves attracted to each other.
“Believe me, there is not a single person involved in the making of this film who was not aware of the responsibility we bear,” said Sklenar. “A responsibility to all women who have experienced intergenerational trauma or domestic violence or who find it difficult to look in the mirror and love the person they see in it.”
Amid the alleged drama, Baldoni hired a crisis PR management team. All the talk of alleged feuds between the stars hasn’t stopped moviegoers from seeing the film, which recently crossed the $100 million mark at the domestic box office.
“This film is a harsh reality check for men who need to pull themselves together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions,” Sklenar added. “This film is meant to inspire. It is meant to validate and acknowledge. It is meant to give hope. It is meant to encourage and help people feel less alone. Ultimately, it is meant to spread love and awareness. It is not meant to make women the ‘bad guys’ again, let’s get over this together.”
Read Sklenar’s full statement below.
