Brandon Schlener called the rumor drama’s negativity “demeaning to women.” It ends with us.
The actor, who plays Atlas Corrigan in the film adaptation of the Colleen Hoover novel, shared a post on social media defending Hoover and star Blake Lively.
“I wanted to take a minute and address all of this stuff that’s been going around online,” Schlener wrote in a statement. Instagram. “Colleen and the women in this cast are women of faith, perseverance and women choosing the best lives for themselves. To bash the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterintuitive and detracts from what this film is about.
He continued, “Actually, this is the opposite of the point. What may or may not have happened behind the scenes should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film. It’s sad to see the amount of negativity projected online.
Rumors of drama between director and actor Justin Baldoni and Lively have been swirling online, with online conspiracy theorists noting that the leads weren’t spotted together during the press tour.
It Ends With Us is an adaptation of the 2016 Colleen Hoover novel of the same name. Directed by Baldoni from a screenplay by Christy Hall, the film follows Lively’s Lily Bloom, a recent college graduate who moves to Boston to begin a new chapter in her life. When Lily Baldoni’s Ryle Kinkade, a neurosurgeon, completes her residency there, the two find themselves drawn to each other.
“Trust me when I tell you, there wasn’t a single person involved in the making of this movie who wasn’t aware of the responsibility we had in making it,” Schlener said. “A liability for generational trauma, domestic abuse, or women who have difficulty looking in the mirror and loving who they see.”
Amidst the rumored drama, Baldoni hired a crisis PR management. All the chatter about the actors allegedly fighting didn’t stop moviegoers from watching the movie, which recently crossed $100M at the domestic box office.
“The film is a harsh reality check for men who need to get their shit together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions,” Schlener added. “This film is inspirational. It needs to be verified and approved. It is about instilling confidence. It is about building courage and helping people feel less alone. Ultimately it is about spreading love and awareness. Not to make women the ‘bad guy’ once again, let’s move beyond that together.
See Sklenar’s full report below.
