Brandon Sklenar is sharing his thoughts on his latest movie project.
This week we learned the 1923 actor has been cast in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s hugely popular novel, It Ends With Us, which powerfully explores themes of domestic violence, emotional abuse, jealousy and the different representations of masculinity. He’ll play Atlas Corrigan, starring alongside Blake Lively as Lily Bloom and Justin Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid.
In a post on Instagram, Brandon explains what the role means to him:
“When this project came along I wasn’t aware of this book or the tremendous impact it has had on women all over the world in helping them to have the strength to change their lives,” he begins.
“This is something very personal to me. The amount of women I’ve known who have been victims of abuse is staggering. It is our intention that this film continues to spread the vital message of this book; for women to feel empowered and men to be better. I’m honoured to be a part of it. Thank you Sony. Thank you Justin. Thank you Colleen Hoover.”
Justin Baldoni will be directing the project with Blake Lively and Colleen Hoover amongst the executive producers. Christy Hall, the co-creator of Netflix’s I Am Not Okay With This, is writing the screenplay and will produce alongside Alex Saks.
The team recently announced they’ve found the actor who will play a young Lily Bloom following an open casting call – no word yet on who has landed the role!
Some important stats about gender-based violence:
According to global data released by the World Bank Gender Data Portal, 30% of women have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence – that’s around 736 million women around the world.
More than 1 in 4 women (26%) aged 15 years and older have suffered violence at the hands of their partners at least once since the age of 15 – that’s around 641 million according to the World Health Organisation.
And an estimated 245 million (or 10% of women ages 15 and above) have experienced intimate partner violence in the last 12 months alone (also per WHO).
(Feature Image Credit: Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock)