It Ends with Us' Brandon Sklenar has responded to Blake Lively’s allegations regarding co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
It was reported on Saturday (December 21) that Lively, who both starred in and produced the romantic drama, had taken legal action against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, after he allegedly sexually harassed her on set before enacting a “coordinated effort to destroy her reputation”.
Baldoni's lawyer has denied the allegations, calling them "completely false".
Sklenar, who played the childhood sweetheart and love interest of Lively’s character in the film, has now addressed Lively’s claims with a post on Instagram Stories, writing: “For the love of God, read this” and tagging his co-star with a heart emoji as he posted a photo of her complaint against Baldoni.
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Sony Pictures, who distributed the film, backed Lively in a statement, writing (via Variety): “We have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film. We fully and firmly reiterate that support today.
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"Further, we strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.”
Related: Sony boss defends Blake Lively following It Ends With Us backlash
SAG-AFTRA, the labour union which supports actors, also backed Lively, writing: “These are startling and troubling allegations. Employees have every right to raise issues of concern or to file complaints. Retaliation for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behavior is illegal and wrong.
“We applaud Blake Lively’s courage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment and for her request to have an intimacy coordinator for all scenes with nudity or sexual content. This is an important step that helps ensure a safe set.”
In a statement released at the time of the complaint, Lively – who played Lily Bloom in the film – expressed her hope that the legal action would “pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted".
Baldoni, who played Ryle Kincaid in the film, responded with a statement via his lawyer Bryan Freedman.
"It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, as yet another desperate attempt to 'fix' her negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film; interviews and press activities that were observed publicly, in real time and unedited, which allowed for the internet to generate their own views and opinions," the statement read.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
