Brandon Sklenar, who stars alongside Blake Lively in the movie It Ends With Us, refused to discuss the recently unsealed text exchanges where both appeared to criticize the film’s director, Justin Baldoni. The texts, which surfaced amid Lively’s 2024 lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliatory behavior against Baldoni, became public during a UFC event in Las Vegas, marking Sklenar’s first public appearance since the messages emerged.
When approached at UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena, 35-year-old Sklenar was asked if he wished to clarify anything from the texts but simply responded, “Nah,” accompanied by a brief, awkward smile. These conversations have turned into a significant part of the ongoing legal conflict involving the cast and crew of the film directed by Baldoni.
Background of the Dispute Over It Ends With Us
It Ends With Us, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s popular novel, features Blake Lively as Lily, with Baldoni directing and co-starring as Lily’s partner, Ryle. Sklenar plays another central character, Atlas, the other love interest. The film generated $148 million domestically and $350 million worldwide, but its success has been overshadowed by serious allegations made by Lively against Baldoni.
The lawsuit, filed in 2024, accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment, causing intentional emotional distress, and engaging in retaliatory actions on set. Baldoni denies these claims. As part of ongoing discovery, over 180 documents including text messages between Lively and Sklenar were unsealed, revealing private conversations that have fueled media attention and public scrutiny.
Details from the Released Text Messages
The newly revealed exchanges show Sklenar expressing support for Lively, while both criticize Baldoni’s behavior and actions behind the scenes. Within these messages, Lively conveyed frustration with the director, claiming he had unauthorized access to her film edit and behaved unprofessionally during post-production.
In one exchange, Lively wrote, “He’s bats***,” to which Sklenar replied that Baldoni was “definitely scrambling” and
“totally f***ing himself for any future work.”
Lively added,
“Oh you don’t know the first of it,”
followed by detailed complaints about Baldoni’s conduct.
She accused Baldoni of attempting to take credit undeservedly for the film and described him as someone causing disruption wherever he worked. The actress claimed she had shielded the negative aspects of his behavior to avoid distractions from focusing on the film’s success, stating,
“And I’ve been protecting it from getting out bc all I want to do is focus on the work and not be pulled into the f***ing mess they make.”
Alleged On-Set Tensions and Director’s Conduct
Lively recounted an incident on set where Baldoni reportedly warned Sklenar that speaking out could lead to being “canceled,” emphasizing a fearful atmosphere among the cast and crew. Sklenar said he vaguely remembered this conversation but couldn’t confirm whether Baldoni elaborated on the warning.
The texts indicate that Baldoni frequently involved others in what Lively described as his “messiness,” suggesting turmoil behind the scenes that contrasted sharply with the director’s public image. Sklenar acknowledged his confusion over Baldoni’s contradictory nature, noting the disconnect between his toxic conduct and his polished persona built through TED-style talks, podcasts, and published books.
Lively responded that this behavior made “perfect sense” to her, implying that Baldoni was attempting to escape some deeper issues while maintaining a favorable public reputation. Sklenar agreed with this perspective.
High-Profile Fallout Involving Ryan Reynolds and Other Celebrities
This dispute has since entangled several well-known figures in Hollywood, including Blake Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds’ involvement has been confirmed in the unsealed messages, where he reportedly referred to Baldoni as a “dumb-dumb” and a “predatory fraudster.”
Reynolds’ representative defended these comments, explaining,
“Yes, Ryan got involved — what husband wouldn’t support his wife and the mother of his children?”
The spokesperson emphasized Reynolds’ passion for standing against workplace harassment and retaliation, describing him as someone deeply committed to a safe work environment.
An insider also told media that Reynolds confronted Baldoni in 2023 over allegations of “fat-shaming” Lively and that Reynolds is “very protective of his image,” worried about the impact of these revelations becoming public.
Other celebrities mentioned in the court documents include Taylor Swift, Matt Damon and his wife Lucy, and Ben Affleck. Swift allegedly called Baldoni a “b***h” and vowed to support Lively, stating, “I’ll do anything for you!” before the lawsuit details were officially disclosed.
Lively reportedly insulted Baldoni to her friends by calling him the “doofus director” of her movie, and criticized his chaotic behavior when speaking with well-known acquaintances such as Affleck.
Legal Status and Future Proceedings
Blake Lively is pursuing more than $160 million in damages in the ongoing lawsuit filed in New York, with a trial scheduled for May 2026. Baldoni continues to deny all allegations and has his lawyer, Bryan Freedman, issue statements asserting that the evidence does not support Lively’s claims.
Freedman stated,
“A simple read of the newly released message exchanges make the truth abundantly clear. We remain confident in the legal process and clearing the names of all the Justin Baldoni parties.”
Meanwhile, Sony’s internal discussions reportedly reference behavior by Lively, further complicating the narrative behind the scenes.
Impact of the Allegations on the Film Industry and Public Perception
The controversy surrounding It Ends With Us and the unfolding legal battle not only threatens to overshadow the film’s box office success but also highlights ongoing concerns about harassment and misconduct in Hollywood. The involvement of major stars such as Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift, and others has drawn heightened media attention, amplifying the urgency of addressing workplace safety and respect.
As the trial approaches in 2026, the entertainment community and public await further developments that could influence industry standards and the careers of the parties involved. The unfolding story exposes the complexities of navigating professional relationships amid allegations that challenge reputations and raise important questions about accountability.
