Bryan Cranston on Breaking Bad, Theater, and His New Film 'Everything’s Going To Be Great'

Bryan Cranston is warmly welcomed to The Daily Show with enthusiastic applause, setting a lively tone for the interview. Desi Lydic immediately highlights Cranston’s busy year, listing his numerous projects, which humorously include fictional and exaggerated titles like Breaking Bad, the College Years and Breaking Bread, the Walter White Baking Show. This playful banter underscores Cranston’s prolific career and the audience’s affection for his work.

"You are in so many incredible projects right now. I actually had to write them all down just to keep track of them." 0:47
"Breaking Bad, the College Years." 1:08
"It's a bakeoff with a secret ingredient. We won't say what it-- It's a blue ingredient, but I'm not saying what it is." 1:22

Key points:

• Cranston is involved in multiple projects simultaneously, including Everything’s Going to be Great, The Phoenician Scheme, The Studio, and a Malcolm in the Middle reboot.
• The host and Cranston share a humorous rapport, joking about fictional spin-offs and projects.
• This segment sets the stage for a discussion about Cranston’s versatility and work ethic.

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Cranston discusses the challenge of moving from his iconic role as Walter White in Breaking Bad to other characters. He explains how difficult it was to convince producers that he could embody such a drastically different role after playing the goofy dad in Malcolm in the Middle for seven years. The skepticism from AMC and Sony executives highlights the industry's tendency to typecast actors.

"The people at AMC and Sony were saying, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. You want the guy from Malcolm in the Middle to be Walter White? No." 2:37
"We had to convince them that that's what actors do." 2:49

Key points:

• Cranston had to actively sell himself to get the role of Walter White.
• The transition from a comedic role to a dark, complex character was met with industry resistance.
• His success in breaking typecasting demonstrates his range and determination.

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Cranston shares a personal story about how a small role on The X-Files connected him with Vince Gilligan, who later created Breaking Bad. This connection was crucial in landing the role of Walter White. Cranston also reflects on his early days as an actor, doing extra work and minor roles to get his SAG card.

"I had to go in and really sell myself that I was the guy to do this job. And he was my champion to get it." 3:55
"I also did a lot of extra work. It's how I got my SAG card." 4:25

Key points:

• Networking and leaving a strong impression are vital in an actor’s career.
• Cranston’s persistence through small roles and extra work laid the foundation for his later success.
• The story about "peeing on his rug" humorously illustrates the lengths actors go to be memorable.

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Cranston talks about his experience working with Wes Anderson for the third time. He praises Anderson’s unique visual style and meticulous preparation, including creating an animatic—a fully voiced cartoon version of the film—to help actors understand the director’s vision.

"He is a sweetheart of a man. He really is." 5:28
"He makes a cartoon, what he calls a cartoon. It's an animatic... and he voices all the characters." 5:54
"You're trying to hunt down something that makes it familiar to you." 6:33

Key points:

• Wes Anderson’s directing style is highly specific and visually distinctive.
• The animatic process is unusual but helps actors grasp the tone and pacing.
• Despite the time-consuming process, Anderson’s films attract actors due to his clear vision and kindness.

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Cranston discusses his role as a movie mogul in The Studio, highlighting the physical comedy and long takes involved. He explains the rehearsal process, which includes multiple takes to perfect the scenes, followed by improvisation encouraged by creators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

"We do about 15, 16, 18 times. And we get it fluid and really well done." 7:56
"Once you get your lines out, then Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, they said, say whatever you want." 8:04
"I'm hugging a statue out in Las Vegas on the strip, and I'm orally copulating this statue, which was a choice I made that I now regret." 8:10

Key points:

• The show involves complex physical comedy and extended single takes.
• Improvisation is a key part of the creative process after rehearsals.
• Cranston’s willingness to take bold comedic risks is evident, even joking about regrettable choices made for awards.

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Cranston talks about his new film Everything’s Going to be Great, where he plays Buddy Smart, a struggling regional theater producer. He connects the role to his own family background, revealing that his father was an actor who clung to stardom dreams, which affected their family life. Cranston reflects on his own approach to acting as a means to make a living rather than seeking fame.

"My dad made some mistakes... he always wanted to be a star. That was so important to him. And it didn't happen." 9:47
"If I can make a living as an actor, that is my success story." 10:07

Key points:

• The film explores themes of family, ambition, and the struggles of theater life.
• Cranston’s personal history deeply informs his portrayal of Buddy Smart.
• He values steady work and artistic fulfillment over celebrity.

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Cranston shares his love for live theater, describing the emotional intensity and connection with the audience. He talks about his upcoming role in All My Sons in London’s West End and the exhausting yet exhilarating nature of performing damaged characters on stage.

"Every time you go to the theater and perform, it's like a gut punch." 11:29
"You say something. They react. And that's like doing live theater." 11:45
"I have to do the same material to a new audience." 12:11

Key points:

• Theater offers a unique, immediate relationship with the audience.
• Performing live requires stamina and emotional investment.
• Cranston embraces the challenge of returning to stage work despite its demands.

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The interview closes on a lighthearted note with Cranston and Desi Lydic joking about their similarities and repeating the optimistic mantra from the film’s title, Everything’s Going to be Great. Cranston’s warmth and humor leave a positive impression.

"Bryan Cranston and I are exactly the same." 12:43
"Everything's going to be great." 12:58

Key points:

• The interview ends with mutual admiration and humor.
• Cranston promotes his new film’s hopeful message.
• The audience is left with a sense of optimism and appreciation for Cranston’s multifaceted career.

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This interview captures Bryan Cranston’s versatility as an actor, his dedication to craft across mediums, and his grounded approach to fame and family. From his breakthrough as Walter White to his passion for theater and collaboration with visionary directors, Cranston’s stories reveal the depth behind his celebrated career.