Brandon Sklenar recalls online hate amid Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively ‘It Ends With Us’ lawsuit

Actor Brandon Sklenar recently spoke about the intense online backlash he endured after being caught in the middle of the Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively lawsuit over the 2024 film It Ends With Us. The 35-year-old, who played Atlas Corrigan in the film, recalled that even a minor role in the highly anticipated adaptation propelled him into the public eye in unexpected ways. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sklenar explained that posting a message on Instagram urging fans to be kind quickly backfired, resulting in death threats and vicious comments.

Sklenar’s post during the August 2024 press tour encouraged followers to focus on the film’s core message of hope, perseverance, and women choosing better lives, instead of vilifying those involved in making the project. “It is, in fact, the opposite of the point,” he told THR. “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.” Despite his efforts to spread positivity, he quickly became the target of aggressive online harassment, with people telling him, “‘You’re a piece of s***,’ ‘I hope you die,’ ‘I hope your career ends,’” he recalled.

The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni added further pressure. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and filed a lawsuit in December 2024, while Baldoni denied the allegations and countersued for $400 million. After months of public disputes, a judge dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit, though the original case is still pending a trial scheduled in New York for March 2026. Throughout the legal drama, Sklenar’s association with the cast drew unwanted attention, even though he was not directly involved in the lawsuit.

Despite the challenges, Sklenar has continued his career with notable roles, including the 2025 film Drop and the upcoming The Housemaid alongside Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney. While working on The Housemaid, he discussed the experience of dealing with public scrutiny with Sweeney, who has faced her own share of unwanted attention. He reflected on the importance of blocking out negativity and focusing on personal growth, saying, “You really just have to block it out and not let it in.”