Bryan Cranston has been a remarkable on-screen presence, worthy of numerous accolades and even nominated for an Oscar. Out of all the several movies and television shows he has starred in, perhaps his most commendable role is that of Walter White in the blockbuster television series Breaking Bad.
But there was a time when Cranston almost didn’t get to star in the 2008-2013 crime drama, and for a relatably understandable reason at that: because his other hit television sitcom, Malcolm in the Middle, was in talks for a whole new season after its seven seasons had ended at the same time when the casting for Breaking Bad was underway.
Bryan Cranston’s Malcolm in the Middle Almost Picked Up A New Season
Although Bryan Cranston has left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide with his incredible performance in Breaking Bad, he almost didn’t make it to the show because FOX was in talks to renew his other superhit sitcom Malcolm in the Middle for season eight.
Appearing on the SmartLess podcast with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, the Seinfeld star revealed how the hit sitcom was almost picked up for an eighth season. He said,
“Fox said, Keep the sets up. We might do an eighth season of Malcolm in the Middle.’ And everyone was like, ‘Yeahhh that’d be great.'”
But that never came out to be after the creators called off the idea.
“In late April and early May, they called when the upfronts are going on, [and] they said, ‘Nope, we had a very good pilot season. Thank you guys, you did well. You’re on your own.’ So we thought, ‘Ahh, that’s too bad,'” Cranston said.
However, that wasn’t the end of his successful career, as he got picked for Breaking Bad instead. Sharing in an interview with GQ about the same, he said,
“Had Malcolm in the Middle been picked up for an eighth season, someone else would’ve played Walter White, because I would not have been available.”
Not only this, Bryan Cranston even gave the maximum credit for Breaking Bad‘s success to screenwriter Vince Gilligan, calling him a genius and claiming that he ‘laid out a beautiful template’ for him to step in.
How Bryan Cranston Got Cast Into Breaking Bad
Though he went through a complete transition from a funny and lovable Hal Wilkerson to a chemistry teacher turned meth manufacturer Walter White, Bryan Cranston made sure to leave no loose ends while shooting for Breaking Bad. Continuing in the SmartLess podcast, he shared how he got the role later in the same month when Malcolm in the Middle ended.
“Later that month, I get the call to go see a guy called Vince Gilligan. ‘Do you remember him from X-Files? Kinda. He wants to see you about a new project called Breaking Bad,'” Cranston recalled. “I read it and I thought, ‘Oh my god this is amazing.’ I met with him. He said, ‘I want to turn Mr. Chips into Scarface and I think you’re the guy to do it.'”
While it was mostly his immense hard work and utter dedication that even landed him six Emmys and two Golden Globes for his exceptional performance in the crime drama, the Trumbo star still believes he owes most of his success to his good luck.
“It is absolutely my belief, I dogmatically believe this, that a career in our business cannot be fully realized without a healthy dose of luck sprinkled throughout,” he said.
Whether his belief is true or not, Bryan Cranston is still thriving in the industry thanks to his immense talent even after the end of his 16-time Emmy-winning television series.
Source: SmartLess podcast | GQ
