Brandon Sklenar, co-star of It Ends With Us, has publicly distanced himself from the ongoing legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, despite initially showing support for Lively. Once an outspoken backer of the actress, Sklenar has recently adopted a more neutral stance, emphasizing the film’s message of love and compassion. His shift in tone follows a whirlwind of lawsuits filed between Lively and Baldoni, including a $400 million defamation case. With the spotlight on the upcoming March 2026 trial, fans are questioning where Sklenar truly stands in this high-profile battle. As tensions rise, his evolving responses have added yet another layer to the already controversial It Ends With Us production saga. Dive into how Brandon Sklenar’s distancing move may reshape the public perception of the cast’s unity and what it means for the film’s future.
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Brandon Sklenar’s Changing Stance on the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Controversy
As the dust continues to swirl around the contentious legal drama between It Ends With Us stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, one co-star is noticeably stepping back. Brandon Sklenar, who plays a key role in the anticipated adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, is no longer standing firmly in Lively’s corner. Once vocally supportive, Sklenar is now treading carefully amid a storm of allegations, countersuits, and media attention.
In December 2024, Blake Lively filed a bombshell lawsuit accusing her co-star and the film’s director, Justin Baldoni, of sexual harassment and initiating a defamation campaign against her. While Baldoni has denied all allegations, the situation escalated dramatically in January 2025 when he filed a staggering $400 million defamation and extortion suit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane.
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Initially, Sklenar seemed to take a clear stance. He shared a New York Times article detailing Lively’s lawsuit to his Instagram Story, urging his followers with the statement, “For the love of God read this.” But as the controversy gained traction and Baldoni countered with his own legal action—including a lawsuit against The New York Times—Sklenar’s tone started to shift.
In February, when asked by CBS’s Gayle King whether he sided with “Team Justin or Team Blake,” Sklenar laughed and replied cautiously, “I’m Team It Ends With Us.” It was a telling moment—a marked contrast from his initial show of support, signaling a more neutral, perhaps self-protective, approach to the unfolding drama.
Public Appearances Reflect a Desire to Stay Neutral
Brandon Sklenar’s recent public appearances have only reinforced his desire to maintain distance from the intensifying conflict. At the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscars Party in March, he was asked by reporters how he intended to support Lively amid her ongoing legal battle with Baldoni. His response was deliberately vague.
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“I just hope everyone remembers what the movie is about and why we made it in the first place,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, clearly avoiding taking sides. “It’s about love, and it’s about supporting women in general and helping people through tough times.”
While his statement seemed rooted in empathy and diplomacy, it also spoke volumes about his careful navigation of the current controversy. Sklenar went on to highlight the importance of the film’s message, which centers around domestic abuse and resilience. “The story has helped so many people,” he said, shifting focus from the cast’s personal drama to the impact of the film itself.
His comments struck a different chord from the emotional call to action he shared in December. The shift did not go unnoticed by fans and media alike, many of whom speculated whether Sklenar’s PR team may have advised the change or whether he had reassessed the situation as new legal developments emerged.
What Sklenar’s Silence Could Mean for the Film’s Public Image
With the trial between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni set to begin in March 2026, the scrutiny on everyone associated with It Ends With Us is only expected to intensify. Brandon Sklenar’s move to distance himself from the legal dispute may be a strategic effort to protect his own career, especially as the entertainment industry grows increasingly sensitive to high-profile controversies.
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His shifting narrative—from backing Lively outright to offering broad, neutral statements—suggests a desire to keep the peace without burning bridges. For an actor still building his profile, being caught in the crossfire of a legal war between two A-list co-stars could be damaging. Sklenar’s diplomacy might help him stay out of the headlines for the wrong reasons while still promoting a film with a deeply emotional message.
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However, some fans have expressed disappointment at his apparent backpedaling. Social media threads are filled with discussions on whether his decision reflects a lack of loyalty or simply wisdom. Others argue that in a situation as legally complex and emotionally charged as this, staying neutral may be the most responsible position he can take.
The challenge for the It Ends With Us marketing team now lies in balancing promotion of the film’s themes of love and healing with the off-screen drama threatening to eclipse them. With one of the key cast members walking a delicate line, the public perception of unity among the film’s leads has undoubtedly been shaken.
Brandon Sklenar’s Cautious Move Highlights the Fallout from Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Legal Feud
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Brandon Sklenar’s journey from vocal supporter to neutral observer underscores just how complicated the fallout from the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal saga has become. As co-stars take sides—or choose not to—public and media attention continues to dissect every word and move. Sklenar’s carefully curated responses suggest a growing awareness of the risks involved in aligning too closely with either party.
While fans await the March 2026 trial and the eventual release of It Ends With Us, all eyes will remain on the cast’s dynamics. For now, Sklenar’s distancing might be a preview of how others in the industry navigate high-profile controversies in an era where silence can be as powerful as words.
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