Brandon Sklenar, co-star of It Ends With Us, has shifted from supporting Blake Lively to adopting a neutral stance amid her escalating legal battle with Justin Baldoni.
At a Glance
- Brandon Sklenar moves from supporting Lively to a neutral position in the legal dispute
- Blake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and defamation
- Baldoni countersues Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist for $400 million
- Sklenar emphasizes the film’s message over taking sides
- Trial between Lively and Baldoni is scheduled for March 2026
Sklenar Steps Back Amid Legal Turmoil
Brandon Sklenar, known for his role in It Ends With Us, has publicly distanced himself from the intensifying legal conflict between co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Initially, Sklenar appeared to support Lively, who filed a civil complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual misconduct and launching a retaliatory media campaign against her, according to a report by DNYUZ.
Watch Entertainment Tonight’s video breakdown of Sklenar’s comments and the legal fallout.
However, following Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit filed in January 2025—which targets Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist—Sklenar has recalibrated his stance. Speaking to People, he emphasized his impartiality, saying he wants the public to focus on the film’s core themes rather than the escalating personal dispute. He explained his now-notorious decision to wear a floral brooch similar to Baldoni’s as purely accidental, telling the outlet, “That was total happenstance… lo and behold, someone also wore that prior to me wearing it,” as covered by NBC Connecticut.
Legal Battle Escalates
The Lively-Baldoni conflict has quickly ballooned into a headline-dominating legal spectacle. Lively alleges Baldoni engaged in sexual harassment and a defamation campaign that significantly impacted her professional image. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit accusing Lively and her team of defamation and orchestrating a reputational takedown.
The suit also implicates Reynolds and members of their public relations firm, arguing that the group coordinated a media assault aimed at sabotaging Baldoni’s standing in Hollywood. Further complicating matters, Lively faces a separate defamation lawsuit filed by Jed Wallace and Street Relations Inc., as reported by Yahoo Entertainment.
Emphasizing the Film’s Message
Amid the highly publicized discord, Sklenar has taken a step back to focus on the values behind It Ends With Us. “I just want people to remember why we made the movie in the first place and what it stands for,” he said, reiterating his support for the story’s focus on compassion and resilience for survivors of domestic abuse. “It’s about supporting women in general and helping people through tough times,” he added.
His calls for unity and understanding reflect an attempt to de-escalate the public drama and reaffirm the purpose of the cast’s collaboration.
Industry Implications
With trial proceedings set for March 2026, the high-stakes legal battle carries weighty implications across Hollywood. The reputational fallout could reshape alliances, alter public perception, and reverberate across future casting decisions.
Sklenar’s decision to adopt neutrality is more than a personal stance—it’s a strategic move in a turbulent environment where optics matter. By redirecting focus to the film’s intentions, he may be offering a blueprint for how actors can navigate scandals without becoming collateral damage themselves.
