Brandon Sklenar comes to the defense of co-star Blake Lively and other women in the recent film It Ends With Us. Despite a successful box-office collection, the movie has been facing a lot of criticism for its promotional activities. The actor who played the role of Atlas in the Colleen Hoover-inspired film addressed the stuff swirling online amid the rumored feud between stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
For the most part, Lively is also gaining immense hate online for overlooking the serious domestic violence issue in the film. On August 20, Sklenar shared a lengthy post on his Instagram slamming the critics. Let’s delve into the complete details of this segment.
Brandon Sklenar slammed the makers for vilifying the women
Sklenar stated in the post by addressing the “stuff swirling online” adding “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 is message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about. It is, in fact, the opposite of the point.
Brandon also pointed out that the incidents that “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.” The actor noted that It’s been “disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.”
The 34-year-old also shared his own intention of being a part of the film which centers around domestic violence as he revealed 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 Colleens book and subsequently this film with saving her life.”
Moreover, he assured that everyone behind the making of the film is aware of the “generational trauma” women experience from domestic abuse adding the project is a “harsh reality check for the men who need to get their s–t together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions.”
Brandon reflected on his hopes for the film’s future adding, “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.”
The 1923 star then requested the haters to “ask yourself who its helping. Ask yourself if your opinions are based in 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.”
He signed off the statement with a message of spreading kindness.
Check out the trailer of It Ends With Us:
