From the beginning, Brandon was positioned as one of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ biggest public defenders. Remember: Brandon Sklenar was essentially swapped in for Justin Baldoni during the It Ends With Us marketing push. There was even that video where Ryan Reynolds and his mom are gushing about how amazing Brandon is. Hugh Jackman joked he found the “new Wolverine.” They were boosting him nonstop—likely to help steady a movie plagued by controversy.

So early on, Brandon came out defending Blake. He posted about the “disheartening amount of negativity” and urged people to “lead with love and kindness.” At the time, it sounded like he was trying to protect Blake from the flood of bad press. And honestly, he wasn’t wrong—he didn’t want the book or the movie overshadowed by drama.

Then December hit. Blake filed her lawsuit. And again, Brandon stepped forward to show support—sharing her entire complaint on Instagram and telling people, “For the love of God, read this.”

Many people—myself included—initially felt the same way: this looked bad, and we needed to hear more.

But the moment Justin Baldoni finally responded?

Brandon Sklenar went silent.
No more support for Blake, no support for Justin—just a complete retreat.

He simply backed away from everything and began focusing on himself. He even wore a specific pin that caused backlash, then scrambled to distance himself from both sides. He’s been trying to play Switzerland, and fans are furious.

Because, let’s be honest: Justin Baldoni is the director and producer of It Ends With Us. Brandon was not a big name. His biggest credit was 1923. It Ends With Us was a major break for him. And Blake and Ryan used their influence to push him into bigger opportunities.

Case in point: The Housemaid.

Director Paul Feig recently confirmed that Blake Lively personally recommended Brandon to him. Feig told E! News that Blake—who had just worked with Brandon—urged him to meet the actor. When they finally had lunch, Feig said Brandon’s charisma was undeniable.

So Feig is crystal clear:
Blake Lively is the one who put Brandon on his radar.

Now here’s where things get weird.

Brandon recently appeared on The Today Show and told a completely different story about how he got the role.

He claimed Sydney Sweeney pushed for him. He said he was surprised she even wanted him. He described his transition from cowboy roles to playing a contemporary white-collar character. He said producers believed in him. He said Paul Feig was on board after they had lunch.

But you know what he didn’t mention?
Not once?
Blake Lively.

Despite Feig publicly stating Blake helped him get the part, Brandon pretended she wasn’t involved at all.

Fans noticed instantly.
And they’re calling him out.

Some comments:

“Blake got you that role, not Sydney.”

“Brandon helped Blake sabotage a man and now he’s desperately distancing himself.”

“Paul Feig literally said Blake introduced you—why lie?”

People are not letting it go. And honestly, it’s hard not to see it as a deliberate omission.

Paul Feig supported Blake.
Brandon supported Blake—twice.
And now he’s pretending she never existed?

Meanwhile, he still has never supported Justin—not once.
Not even neutrally.

If this were really about “protecting the film,” why wouldn’t he hold both sides accountable?
The truth seems obvious:
He can’t afford to criticize Blake and Ryan.
They’re the powerful ones. They’re the ones who helped him. And maybe—just maybe—he’s finally realized he got played. But he can’t say that out loud. Not in Hollywood.

Especially when Blake’s PR machine is already in full force.
Rob Shuter called this.
She’s rolling out her perfectly-timed redemption campaign—grocery-run pap photos, family-holiday stories, sister bonding headlines, all designed to reposition her as wholesome and beloved.

It’s predictable. It’s strategic. And it’s already happening.

Even funny enough, Carousel, the new Chris Pine and Jenny Slate movie, is being produced by It Ends With Us producer Alex Saks. Small world, huh? Everyone’s still working. Everyone’s still connected. No consequences yet.

And with Hollywood entering chaos—especially with the looming Netflix merger—things are only going to get messier. If you want a full breakdown of the merger and how it could wreck the industry, tell me in the comments. I can do it here or on my Movie World channel.

So hit that bell. Smash the like button. And let me know what you think:

Is Brandon deliberately distancing himself?
Are you still angry with him?
Do you think he’s lying to protect himself?

Drop your thoughts below.