1923 Breakout Brandon Sklenar Returns to His Western Roots in First Look at The Rescue — Playing a Rodeo Cowboy Facing Every Father’s Worst Nightmare

Brandon Sklenar is heading back to the dusty world that helped turn him into one of Hollywood’s rising stars — but his next Western will put him at the center of a far more personal fight.

After breaking through to a wider audience in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel 1923, Sklenar is returning to the genre for The Rescue, an upcoming movie centered on a rodeo cowboy desperately searching for his missing daughter.

The first image from the film has now been revealed, offering fans their first glimpse of Sklenar back in Western territory ahead of the movie’s planned January 29, 2027 theatrical release.

And this time, the story isn’t about protecting a sprawling ranching empire.

It’s about a father trying to bring his child home.

Sklenar is saddling up again after 1923

Sklenar’s role in 1923 helped propel his career to another level, placing him inside Taylor Sheridan’s hugely popular Western universe.

But his résumé stretches well beyond the Yellowstone franchise.

Before and around his breakout success, Sklenar appeared in projects including Westworld, Vice, Midway and The Offer.

He later teamed up with Sydney Sweeney for The Housemaid, which became a major box-office success.

According to the supplied report, the film was made for approximately $35 million and ultimately grossed more than $400 million worldwide, becoming the biggest theatrical hit of both Sklenar and Sweeney’s careers to date.

Now he’s trading that world for boots, dust and danger again.

The Rescue gives his Western comeback a darker mission

The Rescue follows a rodeo cowboy and his dog as they search for his missing daughter.

That simple premise places Sklenar at the heart of a Western story driven as much by family and desperation as action.

The newly released first image shows the actor embracing the rugged setting once again, immediately recalling the genre that helped make him so recognizable to 1923 viewers.

Sklenar won’t be riding alone when the movie reaches theaters.

The cast also includes Josh Duhamel, who recently starred in both seasons of Netflix Western drama Ransom Canyon.

Tim Blake Nelson has also been tapped for a key role, while Yellowstone actress Hassie Harrison is part of the cast as well.

The film comes from the director of Motor City

John Fusco wrote the screenplay for The Rescue, with Potsy Ponciroli directing.

Ponciroli recently directed the Alan Ritchson-led Motor City, giving the filmmaker another action-heavy project before taking on Sklenar’s Western.

For Sklenar, meanwhile, the movie arrives during an increasingly busy period.

He’s also set to reunite with Taylor Sheridan for F.A.S.T., Sheridan’s first original action movie in years.

That project is also expected in theaters in 2027 and features Sklenar alongside Jason Clarke, LaKeith Stanfield and Sam Claflin.

From Western star to possible superhero?

Sklenar’s rapidly expanding career has also generated discussion about an entirely different kind of role.

The actor has been open about his interest in playing Batman, and some fans have backed him as a potential Bruce Wayne for James Gunn’s DC Universe.

The role has been referenced within the DCU, including in Lanterns, but according to the supplied report, no casting announcement has been made.

Alan Ritchson and Jensen Ackles are among other actors whose names have been floated by fans.

For now, however, Sklenar’s confirmed path is taking him somewhere much more familiar.

Back to the West.

Back into the saddle.

And this time, the 1923 breakout isn’t crossing the frontier for land, fortune or power — he’s searching for a missing daughter, with only his dog beside him and everything to lose.