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Bryan Cranston might as well be considered one of the most renowned big-named in the entertainment industry today especially when it comes to TV, and a major credit for that goes toBreaking Bad. While the saga itself had an exceptional plot that had viewers constantly at the edge of their seats, the actor’s perfect portrayal of Walter White further added to its star-studdedness.
But it wasn’t like he desperately needed this job, as pieces likeMalcolm in the Middleand his appearance inThe X-Fileshad already introduced his prime skills to audiences worldwide. Nor was the paycheck the reason he decided to join it. Rather, Cranston’s real intentions behind becoming a part of this series were much more honorable: He simply wanted a change of pace.
Bryan Cranston Took onBreaking Badas He Wanted ‘A Change of Pace’
Long before he was even offered the role of Walter White inBreaking Bad,Bryan Cranstonhad already gained attention through his previous projects. This included his recurring role as Jerry’s dentist Dr. Tim Whatley inSeinfeld, an episode ofThe X-Files, and his all-time best comedic role as Hal inMalcolm in the Middle. That said, he was financially stable as well.
This is why his $225,000 per episode paycheck wasn’t one of the reasons why he agreed to take on this gig. Rather, like perhaps many others who often end up getting typecast after jumping into the sitcom business,The Upsidestar was more inclined to get into something new and different that would have him explore other creative sides of his acting chops.
Sharing how this crime-drama series offered him just the type of challenge and creative freedom he had been craving all along, Cranston came clean toThe Hollywood Reporterin a 2012 interview:“I wanted a change of pace, and whether that meant a comedy or drama, it was going to be different because I didn’t need the money anymore.”
Breaking Bad: How Did Walter White Manage to Poison Brock That Even Left Bryan Cranston Petrified
That said, he further emphasized why the financial aspect of it all never really played a part in his decision to join the team thanks to the finances he had already secured for himself through his previous work. Cranston said,“I never wanted to be in a position where I should make a creative decision based on financial need. I didn’t want a ‘job.’ I didn’t need to work ever again.”
Of course, actors do tend to get tired of staying in the same lane for what seems like forever – especially those who work in sitcoms. This makes it rather understandable why theYour Honorstar had such an honorable reason to joinVince Gilligan‘s fan-favorite crime saga. But for the showrunner, bringing him on board wasn’t the easiest task.
Bringing Bryan Cranston Onboard Wasn’t the Easiest Task for Vince Gilligan, Though
When Gilligan originally gave Cranston’s name for the lead of this epic crime-thriller drama, his opinions weren’t quite as well received. This was because everyone had that comedic image of the actor fromMalcolm in the Middleimprinted in their minds, so imagining him leaping from comedy to a full-blown serious drama wasn’t something the executives were too keen on.
In the interview with The Hollywood Reporter, one former Fox executive shared his thoughts back then on the same,saying,“We all still had the image of Bryan shaving his body inMalcolm in the Middle. We were like, ‘Really? Isn’t there anybody else?’”But, being the mastermind man that he is, show producer Vince Gilligan wasn’t one to give up this easily.
“It scared me of course”: Horrifying ‘Breaking Bad’ Scene That Broke Down Bryan Cranston and Made Anna Gunn Give Him a Hug
As he shared in the interview, he had the executives watchingThe X-Filesepisode where Cranston played a complex role as a desperate man suffering from radiation exposure.“That was a tricky part to cast onX-Files,”said Gilligan.“We needed somebody who could be dramatic and scary yet have an underlying humanity so when he dies, you felt sorry for him. Bryan nailed it.”
Since Gilligan served as a writer. producer, and occasional director on the series,he knew that Cranstonwas just the type when he saw him inThe X-Files. And, fortunately enough, this one single scene had the executives convinced of the same, considering how not only was Bryan Cranston cast as Walter White but his outstanding performance even helped the show garner innumerable Emmy nods and wins, among other accolades.
Breaking Bad can currently be streamed on Netflix.
Mahin Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2478
Mahin Sultan is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, where she brings a fresh perspective to entertainment news. Having been in the field for over 3 years now, she has already written more than 2,000 articles across a variety of niches, from entertainment to health and fashion. This diverse experience has allowed her to quickly build a solid foundation and a deep understanding of the industry.
