The Breaking Bad series has become a timeless quality project thanks to its plotline, themes, and characters that left the audience wanting more. Even after its conclusion, a prequel series was launched centering around Bob Odenkirk’s character, Jimmy McGill aka Saul Goodman. While Odenkirk returned to the franchise, his co-star, Jonathan Banks clarified that he won’t be returning for another spin-off.
Jonathan Banks portrayed the role of Mike Ehrmantraut in the Breaking Bad franchise, who is a former Philadelphia police officer turned private investigator for Gustavo Fring and oftentimes for Goodman. Given that Ehrmantraut is a complex character on its own, it is surely a great character to dive into, as a continuation of the Breaking Bad saga. But, the actor would not be interested.
Jonathan Banks Won’t Return for Another Breaking Bad Spin-Off
Jonathan Banks in a 2020 interview with The Decider expressed his thoughts on playing the character, Mike Ehrmantraut in the Breaking Bad franchise. When asked whether the franchise asks him to reprise his role once again for a prequel that focuses on his character before Better Call Saul, would he be up for it, the actor rejected the hypothetical opportunity. However, he gave a valid reason behind his rejection stating,
“If we’re going to do a prequel, at that point we’re going to have to get a younger actor. [He laughed.] You know as well as I do, you look up at that screen sometimes and go ‘Wait, he’s supposed to be 10 years younger than in Breaking Bad. He’s not aging well.’”
He further asserted,
“It really would have to be a younger actor. That would be a great role for somebody.”
While he clarified about being uninterested in returning for another spin-off, he admitted that he enjoyed playing his character.
“I loved the character anyway, but I thought if we’re going to get into his background and where Mike came from and some of the back story, I was in. It’s a character I love because of my writers, and I’ve enjoyed this ride and continue to enjoy it.”
Despite enjoying the ride, Banks would not be keen on taking part in another spin-off unlike his Better Call Saul co-star, Bob Odenkirk.
Bob Odenkirk Reprised his Saul Goodman Role in Better Call Saul
Also Read: The Emmys: Breaking Bad Doesn’t Even Rank in Top 5 Shows With Most Emmy Wins Despite its GOAT Status
Portraying the role of a witty lawyer like Saul Goodman was difficult to pull through but the Melvin Goes to Dinner actor won the audience with his acting skills. Following the conclusion of Breaking Bad in 2013, the idea of kicking off a prequel series to explore Goodman’s arc fascinated many.
However, many might be surprised that Odenkirk nearly declined to work in the six-season series before eventually accepting the role. When he was offered the prequel series, he declined the offer due to his kids’ as they were teenagers.
In Howard Stern Show, he revealed,
“I just can’t do it. It’s just they’re two years too young. They were probably 14 and 12. So I just felt that I couldn’t do it, so I said no.”
However, his kids eventually changed his thoughts by encouraging him to take on the role. It surely turned out to be a great decision given that the series gained widespread success just like its predecessor.
Both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul are available on Netflix.
