Bryan Cranston talks Breaking Bad movie reports, but doubts participation
Earlier this week, the news first came out that there was seemingly a movie version of Breaking Bad in the works. It was exciting enough news to start cranking the song “Crystal Blue Persuasion” at full volume and eat buckets full of Los Pollos Hermanos; yet, it felt like there was something many people were forgetting in the process. Just because it’s Breaking Bad does not mean it’s about Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, or any other character in particular. It’s just a potential movie idea (reportedly subtitled Greenbrier) that is set within that world. It could be a prequel about Gus Fring or some other character, or it could be a sequel featuring some people in the aftermath of Walt’s death and his empire crumbling to dust.
Bryan Cranston has now officially discussed the idea of the movie for the first time — but even with that, it doesn’t seem all that likely that he is going to be a part of it. Speaking via The Dan Patrick Show in a new interview, here’s some of what he had to say (which feels like his own version of dumping cold water on the idea of him appearing):
“Yes, there appears to be a movie version of ‘Breaking Bad, but I honestly have not even read the script … I have not gotten the script … So there’s the question of whether or not we’ll even see Walter White in this movie. Think about that one.”
This is the time in which we reiterate that there is ZERO REASON for Walter White to appear in a movie. Zero. He’s told his story and his role has been properly played with a proper end. To dive back into him now would feel like unnecessarily milking one of the greatest shows of all time for more moolah, which is something people are going to accuse Vince Gilligan of doing even without Cranston on board. Just imagine what it would be like if Walt was actually in the project and how that would work? Are they bringing him back from the dead? are we going to watch him be a high school chemistry teacher and live out his dull suburban life before he broke bad? What exactly is left to tell with him? Absolutely nothing.
If we had to predict something with this movie, the best-case scenario is that it’s the story of Jesse Pinkman and what comes next after the events of the series finale. Give us more Aaron Paul, and then also give us some sort of AMC release (similar to the planned Rick Grimes movies) rather than something that hits the big screen. Products that start on TV should end on TV; we say this while casting a scornful eye over on Sex and the City and Downton Abbey for doing something that nobody asked them to do and didn’t payout well at all (we are still trying to pretend that Sex and the City 2 never happened).
In your mind, what is the ideal scenario and story for a Breaking Bad movie? Let us know some of your thoughts on the matter below, and stay tuned for more.