Brandon Sklenar defends Blake Lively against ‘disheartening’ backlash amid It Ends With Us drama

Actor Brandon Sklenar addresses “all this stuff swirling online” as the backlash surrounding his It Ends With Us co-star reaches boiling point.

Brandon Sklenar is in Blake Lively’s corner.

The actor seemingly defended his It Ends With Us co-star via Instagram on Tuesday amid “disheartening” backlash.

“I wanted to take a minute and address all this stuff swirling online,” Sklenar, 34, began his lengthy post in reference to the film’s controversial press tour.

He wrote that Colleen Hoover, the author of the book the adaptation is based on, 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 its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about,” Sklenar continued.

Brandon Sklenar has come out to defend It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively amid an onslaught of backlash. Picture: Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Sklenar wants critics to stop “vilifying the women” on the cast of the movie. Picture: Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP

He went on to call recent headlines the “opposite of the point”.

Sklenar added, “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. It’s been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.”

His statement comes after rampant rumours of a feud between Lively, 36, and the film’s director and male lead, Justin Baldoni.

Additionally, the Gossip Girl star has sparked backlash for speaking about her Blake Brown haircare, her Betty Buzz alcohol brand and more personal projects while promoting the movie, which depicts domestic violence.

In the wake of this fallout, awkward interviews have resurfaced of the actress making a reporter “want to quit” and using transgender slurs.

Lively and Baldoni, 40, have yet to address the headlines.

In the film, Lively’s character Lily is in an abusive relationship with Justin Baldoni’s character Ryle.

Sklenar plays Lily’s childhood love interest Atlas in the movie.

Sklenar’s lengthy upload concluded by claiming his fellow cast and crew members were all “aware of the responsibility” of the movie’s serious themes.

“This movie is a harsh reality check for the men who need to get their s**t together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions,” he wrote. “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.”

Sklenar pleaded with his followers to stop “spread[ing] hate” on the internet.

The 1923 star, notably, has not done press with Baldoni, conducting interviews instead with Lively, Jenny Slate, Isabela Ferrer and more.

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission