Whether they know him best from his work on the intenseBreaking Bador the goofyMr. Show, audiences everywhere are sure to be taken for a ride when they see Bob Odenkirk take on the role of a bona fideJohn Wick-style action hero inNobody. Now, a short behind-the-scenes promotional video gives potential viewers a taste of what to expect and shows how Odenkirk went from a writer onSaturday Night Liveto a Liam Neeson-Esque action dad in the upcomingUniversal Picturesaction flick.
The Twitter account for the upcoming filmNobodyjust posted a promo video covering some of Odenkirk’s journey of preparation for his leading role. Starring in the role of Hutch, a suburban dad with a dark past, he had to adapt to an entirely different kind of role than what he was used to, and it turns out there’s a lot of work involved in turning a comedy writer into a no-nonsense killing machine. “I knew that I had to go to a whole ‘nother level,” Odenkirk said about the role, “if I wanted to actually do the fighting and not get hurt.”
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Having started as a comedy writer for shows likeSaturday Night LiveandLate Night with Conan O’Brien, Odenkirk himself admits that it was a comparatively low-impact career in terms of physicality. So, the move from there toNobodylikely surprised everyone else as much as it surprised him. His commitment seems to have surprised the people he’s working with, like producer David Leitch, who praised how “Bob took the challenge wholeheartedly.”
As Hutch, Odenkirk plays a father whose rather hidden history of violence comes to the surface after a home invasion puts his family in danger. After he elects not to fight back against the invaders to keep things from escalating, his family begins drifting away. This results in Hutch’s pent-up frustration at his own shortcomings as a father and husband finally bursting out, and his suppressed skills resurface as he sets out to prove his worth to his family, and perhaps himself. No word on whether this will set off afull-on movie universe likeJohn Wick. Connie Nelson also stars inNobodyas Hutch’s wife, Becca, with Gage Munroe as his son, Blake, and Christopher Lloyd as his father, Harry.
Nobodyseemed to come out of nowhere, with Odenkirk in one of the most unexpected roles audiences might expect from him. Even with this behind-the-scenes video hyping up his process and dedication, many in the audience might be skeptical, to say the least. Odenkirk is a tried and true comedy writer and actor with very little of his acting expertise focused on the physical aspect, and at 58 years of age (not much older than Keanu Reeves,to be fair), some might wonder why he would attempt something like that only now.
However, that same history could also add some credence to the idea that he’s ready for this. Odenkirk is well-known for being involved in far more worthwhile projects than forgettable ones, and just becauseNobodyisn’t a comedy (thoughthisJohn Wickfan theorymight change that perception) doesn’t mean that same discerning eye didn’t come into play. Couple that with his clear commitment to getting the role right, and viewers are sure to get something they never expected when they see him in action.
