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Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
Last November, the rumor mill hamster pulled a hamstring with all the reports about Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk suiting up for a lead role in Marvel Studios‘ Wonder Man. Eh, let’s tap the brakes because there is no more “wondering” about that.
Sitting down with UK’s The Independent, Odenkirk touched upon his questionable heart attack, questioning his mortality, and new projects he has coming. Among them, if you read the tea leaves, is not a film anywhere near the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I always like to keep things grounded, relatable and smaller. I don’t think I’m built for that world. I’m built for characters that make you feel like that guy could live next door.
Ben Odenkirk, via The Independent (interview)
There is more to this quote, and we shall get to that in a bit, but this is how you kill rumors. Turn down a comic book movie (CBM), and go on about your business in style. (Big shot movie directors, we’re looking at you.)
Why Bob Odenkirk Isn’t Wondering About CBMs
As we shared, once Marvel Studios signed Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to become Simon Williams for a Disney+ TV series, nerds everywhere began fan-casting. The resounding favorite to play the son of industrial titan Sanford Williams was Bob Odenkirk.
I mean, that resemblance is uncanny, namely with that grizzled chin. Welp, things changed for Odenkirk. Rumors stopped. And he kept doing his thing. Now this interview has become the death knell to that water cooler chat.
“I’m not built for that world.” Let’s not take that out of context.
Bob Odenkirk certainly can handle an action-packed movie. Look no further than his role as “Hutch” in the 2021 box-office surprise, Nobody. In the indie film, Odenkirk is victimized by a home invasion. His family is captives. And for some reason, the aftermath lights a fire under his tail for him to go full John Wick and take revenge. He was fantastic in the movie, and fans of the character, Saul Goodman, could not believe the metamorphosis this squirrely attorney underwent for this role in Nobody. Again, to reiterate…
I’m built for characters that make you feel like that guy could live next door.
He could do it, but he does not want to, and that should be enough to escape the self-entitled fandom hate. That casting is simply a holiday gift Santa is not leaving under the tree. Better luck next time calling Saul for a more “dude next door” role.
Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.