Brandon Sklenar may be a key player in It Ends With Us, but when it comes to the brewing legal drama between his co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, the actor is staying out of the fray – and with good reason.
During a recent interview on CBS Mornings, Sklenar was asked point-blank whether he was “Team Blake” or “Team Justin.” His response? Poised, respectful, and full of integrity.
“I’m Team ‘It Ends With Us,’” Sklenar said with a smile, maintaining a neutral and professional stance on the publicized legal battle that has kept fans buzzing.
“I just want people to remember why we made the movie in the first place and what it stands for and just keeping the focus on that.”
It’s clear that Sklenar values the essence of the film and what it represents more than the drama unfolding behind the scenes. "I have someone very, very close to me who’s gone through what Lily’s going through for a long time and I’ve been on the front lines helping her navigate that space, so that movie meant a lot to me and it means a lot to her. It was one of the reasons that me doing that film gave her the strength to change her life,” he elaborated, referencing his close connection to the subject matter of the movie.
The actor’s sentiments underline his commitment to the positive impact of the film and its message.
“It’s unfortunate that things get taken away from what the ethos of that thing is and it gets convoluted and I just want to remind people of why it exists in the first place,” he concluded.
In the midst of all the headlines surrounding Lively and Baldoni, Sklenar’s response couldn’t have been more graceful.
After all, there’s not much he could have said that wouldn’t have been dissected, so instead, he chose the high road. By focusing on the movie’s core message, Sklenar avoids the drama without dismissing the seriousness of what’s at stake.
Sklenar had already expressed his dismay at the negativity surrounding the film's production earlier this year, especially in response to online rumors.
In August 2024, he voiced his disappointment on Instagram, saying, “It’s been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online… 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.”
The situation between Lively and Baldoni has certainly escalated in recent months. In December 2024, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, which then led to Baldoni filing a defamation counterclaim against her, Ryan Reynolds, and their PR team for $400 million.
The legal battle remains ongoing, with Lively’s team issuing subpoenas in an attempt to uncover the truth behind the claims of a “smear campaign” and “falsified stories.” As of now, the trial is slated to begin in March 2026, but the storm surrounding the film’s production is unlikely to quiet down any time soon.
For Sklenar, the drama is a sad distraction from what the movie truly represents.
As someone who has personal connections to the themes of It Ends With Us, his message is clear: let’s not lose sight of the film's meaning in the face of public turmoil.
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