Back in 2011, Bryan Cranston was reportedly in talks to join Paramount’s World War Z, starring Brad Pitt. It was a post-apocalyptic thriller, with the Breaking Bad star having a small role in the script. The movie was directed by Marc Forster and it was based on Max Brooks’ novel, which showcases a world plagued by zombie apocalypse.
Cranston, famous for his three-time Emmy-winning role in Breaking Bad, was believed to have almost starred in the film. At the same time, the actor was also in discussion to star in the rock musical Rock of Ages alongside Tom Cruise and Alec Baldwin. Besides, he was also in discussion to join Ben Affleck’s Argo, a political thriller aimed to showcase the 1979 Tehran hostage crisis.
Why Did Bryan Cranston Turn Down World War Z Role
During the summer of 2011, fans were eagerly waiting for the final two seasons of the highly popular TV show Breaking Bad. As the acclaimed series was nearing its end, it became a bigger phenomenon than just the end of Walter White’s saga for enthusiasts of the show.
Besides, the nearing conclusion also meant that the primary cast members of the show had also started searching for new acting opportunities outside of the crime genre. Bryan Cranston, the lead actor in Breaking Bad, was very close to landing an interesting role during the last phase of the show’s run. The actor was in negotiations for a small role in World War Z.
While the details about Cranston’s character in the film weren’t revealed, the role was said to be more than just a mere guest appearance. Despite the initial excitement surrounding the role, it eventually did not materialize. Cranston told Film School Rejects (via Looper) in September 2011 that he did not land the role. However, he did express his willingness to work with director Marc Forster on the film, but his busy schedule prevented him from assuming the role.
There hasn’t been any other information regarding Cranston’s potential role in the film. Maybe it would be better for fans to move on from this potential casting and be thankful that it allowed him to focus more on the final episodes of Breaking Bad.
Bryan Cranston Was Afraid Of Working With Raymond Cruz
Grilled was the last episode where fans got to see Raymond Cruz’s character, Tuco. Recalling his last scenes in the series during an interview with Mirror, Cruz asserted that Vince Gilligan, the show’s creator, was very enthusiastic about scenes being shot for the season finale. Additionally, he said that while sharing the scenes, Bryan Cranston was afraid of him.
Cruz told Mirror:
“I had Bryan and Aaron held hostage in this house in the middle of the desert and Vince runs up and goes ‘Oh my God it’s fantastic, you guys look so frightened, this is great acting’ and then Bryan said ‘We’re not acting’. He was really terrified every time I approached him. Every time I got near, everyone would start shaking.”
Cranston was hesitant about filming a scene with Cruz, as he feared that his character might turn out like Aaron Paul’s.
