EXCLUSIVE: It Ends With Us star Brandon Sklenar is set for the Tony Tost directed and written The Olympian . Based on a true story, Sklenar will play Brad Alan Lewis, a blue collar, California outsider, who after losing the Singles trial, is cut from the Ivy League dominated Olympic camp. With time running out, he teams up with a fisherman from Seattle, beats the camp selected boat at the national trials, and goes on to win a gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Pic will follow Brad’s journey and contentious relationship with the Olympic team coach, ultimately winning the US its first gold medal in rowing in 50 years. The screenplay was No. 2 on the 2016 Black List.
The Olympian is based on “Assault on Lake Casitas” by Brad Alan Lewis. Entertainment 360’s Guymon Casady optioned the book, developed the script with Tost, before bringing it to 30WEST . The project is a production between Imperative Entertainment , Entertainment 360 and 30West.
Sklenar is coming off his role as Atlas in the Justin Baldoni directed, Blake Lively starring and produced It Ends With Us , which has minted nearly $350 million around the world. He also plays Spencer Dutton on Taylor Sheridan’s 1923 on Paramount+. Sklenar is also starring in the Sydney Sweeney, Paul Feig directed The Housemaid for Lionsgate.
He’s also co-starring in the Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes Drop from Christopher Landon which also stars Meghann Fahy. Tost’s debut film Americana, starring Sweeney and Paul Walt.