‘It Ends With Us’ Star Brandon Sklenar Slams Rumors That Are ‘Vilifying’ Blake Lively, Colleen Hoover and More: ‘It’s Been Disheartening to See the Amount of Negativity’

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“It Ends With Us” actor Brandon Sklenar has taken to Instagram to defend author Colleen Hoover and “the women of this cast” against online backlash that has swirled around the movie in the lead up to and the aftermath of its theatrical release. Rumors have circulated alleging that a riff occurred between leading lady Blake Lively and the film’s director and co-star Justin Baldoni during post-production over the final cut of the movie. Neither actor has addressed the rumors.

“I wanted to take a minute and address all this stuff swirling online,” Sklenar wrote on social media. “Colleen 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,” Sklenar 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.”

Lively’s press tour for “It Ends With Us” was widely criticized online as the actor did not seem to talk much about the film’s domestic violence storyline. She was accused of putting a bigger spotlight on her various brand deals and new hair care line then on the serious matter at the heart of the movie.

“It Ends With Us” stars Lively as Lily Bloom, a flower shop owner in Boston who falls for neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni). The “Gossip Girl” alum also produced the movie. Sklenar plays Lily’s teenage flame Atlas Corrigan. How Lily navigates the love triangle and overcomes Ryle’s violent aggression make up the bulk of the story.

“Trust me when I tell you, there isn’t a single person Involved in the making of this film that was not aware of the responsibility we had in making this,” Sklenar wrote in his statement. “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.”

“This movie is a harsh reality check for the men who need to get their shit together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions,” he added. “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.”

“It Ends With Us” has proven to be a box office hit for Sony Pictures and recently crossed the $100 million mark at the domestic box office in just 11 days. Although Sklenar did not specifically cite Lively by name in his post, he did mention the movie’s female cast — and Lively has been at the center of most of the online backlash.

Read Sklenar’s full statement to fans of “It Ends With Us” in the Instagram post below.