In an intriguing development surrounding the upcoming psychological thriller The Housemaid, director Paul Feig revealed that Blake Lively played a significant role in casting Brandon Sklenar, her co-star from the recently released romantic drama It Ends With Us. Feig, who has previously collaborated with Lively on A Simple Favor and its anticipated sequel, noted that Lively praised Sklenar’s talent and urged him to consider Sklenar for the project.
Speaking to E! News, Feig shared, “Blake Lively had just worked with Brandon. She just kept going on and on about how great he is. And I met him and was like, ‘Yes, you are great and I love you.'” This endorsement from Lively proved pivotal in securing a role for Sklenar, who portrays Andrew Winchester, the seemingly perfect husband of Nina, played by Amanda Seyfried. The story takes a dark turn as their household becomes embroiled in chaos after hiring a live-in maid, Millie, portrayed by Sydney Sweeney.
During a recent appearance on the Today show, Sklenar expressed his surprise and gratitude for Sweeney’s advocacy on his behalf concerning the casting. “I was surprised, honestly, that she did that. I was like, ‘Me? Really?’ Alright,” he said, humorously reflecting on his transformation from playing a cowboy to donning the role of a contemporary man.
Sklenar described his experience meeting with Feig as overwhelmingly positive. “I had lunch with Paul Feig, actually, and we just hit it off big time. … He’s just an exceptional human being.” The director echoed that sentiment, elaborating on Lively’s recommendation that led him to meet Sklenar. Feig recalled Lively’s enthusiasm for Sklenar, saying, “She was like, ‘I’m working with this guy and he’s so amazing. You’ve got to meet Brandon.'”
In addition to Sklenar and Seyfried, The Housemaid also features Michele Morrone, who plays the groundskeeper Enzo, furthering the connection between the film and Lively’s previous collaborations.
Sklenar has established a firm connection to Lively through their shared work in It Ends With Us, where he portrayed Atlas, Lively’s love interest. The film, based on a popular Colleen Hoover novel, opened to audience acclaim in August 2024. This past year, amidst controversies surrounding Lively’s lawsuit against director Justin Baldoni and others for alleged sexual harassment, Sklenar has shown support for her. He emphasized the movie’s core themes of love and empowerment, which he hopes will resonate with audiences.
Feig has consistently backed Lively following the lawsuit, praising her professionalism and creativity in the face of adversity. As the release of The Housemaid on December 19 approaches, the intertwining narratives of professional support and personal challenges continue to shape the film’s context and the conversations surrounding it.
