Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
Brandon Sklenar Responds with Wit to “Walmart Glen Powell” Comparison
Actor Brandon Sklenar, star of “It Ends With Us,” adeptly countered an online troll who likened him to a “Walmart Glen Powell.” The humorous retort came after a commenter posted the jibe beneath an MTV Instagram video showcasing Sklenar promoting his latest thriller, “Drop.”
Sklenar’s Savvy Clapback Wins Over Critic
In response to the unflattering comparison, Sklenar wittily remarked, “Who doesn’t love a bargain?” This clever riposte effectively disarmed the detractor, who subsequently confessed to being unfamiliar with Sklenar’s filmography but declared themselves a newfound supporter. This exchange highlights how the “It Ends With Us” personality handled online criticism with grace and humor.
Rising Star’s Impressive Resume
Despite the commenter’s initial ignorance of his work, the 34-year-old Sklenar has cultivated a notable body of work in recent years. Prior to his role in the highly anticipated drama “It Ends With Us,” alongside Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, Sklenar expanded his presence by joining the acclaimed “Yellowstone” universe in the prequel series “1923.”
Venturing into Thriller Genre with “Drop”
Concurrently with these projects, Sklenar ventured into the realm of psychological thrillers, securing a leading role in “Drop,” directed by Christopher Landon. Sklenar expressed his enthusiasm about the convergence of these diverse roles, telling People, “It is very cool objectively that these things are happening at the same time… It’s like, ‘Hey, good on you.’”
Years of Dedication Paying Off for the Actor
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Sklenar acknowledged, “I’ve been kind of just pounding away for the last 16 years.” He characterized this moment as a turning point, appreciating the recognition and opportunities that have emerged after years of hard work in Hollywood.
Parallel Paths: Echoes of Glen Powell’s Hollywood Journey
Intriguingly, the superficial resemblances to Glen Powell are not the only common thread between the two actors. Powell himself has openly discussed the protracted period it took for him to achieve industry recognition.
Powell’s Perseverance in Hollywood
“As a struggling actor, there’s no harder place to live than being in Hollywood with nothing going on,” Powell shared with Vanity Fair in November. He described the intense pressure and self-consciousness that can arise in an industry often defined by fleeting relevance and recent successes.
Breakthrough Success After Years of Hard Work
Powell, now celebrated for a string of successful films including “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022), “Anyone But You” (2023), “Hit Man” (2023), and “Twisters” (2024), emphasized the importance of maintaining self-belief during periods of professional drought. He sustained himself through smaller parts and television guest spots, gradually building his career. Powell highlighted the necessity of a resilient mindset, even during setbacks. He remarked on the value of diverse experiences gained during less successful periods, such as learning about writing, financing, and producing, skills that now prove beneficial to his career.
Sklenar’s Grounded Life Outside the Spotlight
Away from his demanding work schedule, Sklenar, a Santa Barbara resident, values time spent with his girlfriend Courtney Salviolo, 34, and his elderly dog, Remy. Describing his downtime, Sklenar simply stated, “I like to sit with my dog and my girl and play the guitar.”