Brandon Sklenar’s rise in Hollywood has been meteoric and we’ve all come to love him in 1923 for playing Spencer Dutton. He also starred in It Ends with Us, a film adapted from Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel.
Sklenar played Atlas in the movie and didn’t have much screen time but was impactful nonetheless. So many wondered why the actor took on this role despite his growing status in the industry, and the reason is quite touching.
Why did Brandon Sklenar choose It Ends with Us after massive success from 1923?
1923 is a prequel to Yellowstone, and in the series, Brandon Sklenar plays Spencer Dutton, who tries to navigate the dangerous setting of early 20th-century America. Everyone recognized his performance to be impeccable, which solidified his status in the industry.
So, many expected that he would be in a highly-anticipated blockbuster movie after such fame. But the actor chose It Ends with Us, and he explained the reason in an interview with Forbes, which was deeply personal and thoughtful.
I wasn’t aware of the book and became aware of the book, and came aware of his intentions behind making the film and how important it was. I have someone in my life who’s very close to me who has gone through pretty much exactly what Lily has gone through, so it immediately, once I came aware of the story and its cultural impact and how many women it has helped, it just felt like something I had to do.
He was initially skeptical of starring in the project, but one call with the casting team and Justin Baldoni changed his decision, as he understood the director’s vision. The personal connection made him embrace the role because he wanted to be a part of the story’s cultural significance that could inspire change in other men.
How Brandon Sklenar embodied Atlas Corrigan in It Ends with Us
Brandon Sklenar didn’t have to do much to get into the zone for playing Atlas Corrigan because he found parallels between him and the character. His past trauma and enduring resilience, along with a few similarities made him the perfect fit for Atlas.
With Atlas, when I read it, I was like, Well, I’ve never played a character I’m more similar to. I haven’t fought in the war but there was a time when I was a kid that I wanted to kill myself and was very close to doing it a couple times.
I’ve dealt with that – and depression and gone through that. I think the way he looks at the world and his perspective is very similar to mine and his vibe is very similar to mine. I feel like I didn’t really have to do much, so for this, I kind of went the other way.
Sklenar shared some dark moments from his life and explained how he had an intrinsic understanding of Atlas which allowed him to approach the role authentically. He was vulnerable and brave in the interview, talking about his struggles with depression, and his perspective of the world.
In the film, his character is a beacon of hope and kindness and an unwavering support for Lily and Atlas’ own journey. So, Brandon Sklenar’s choice of starring in It Ends with Us shows his commitment to being a part of stories that have a purpose.