Steve Zahn recently touched on whether he came close to landing a major role on Breaking Bad. Setting the record straight for fans, the actor denied being in the running for the crime thriller’s lead, Walter White. Zahn’s clarification comes after Bryan Cranston’s 2016 memoir sparked the rumor that both he and Zahn were candidates for the iconic character.
Steve Zahn refutes Bryan Cranston’s claims about role on Breaking Bad
Putting all rumors to rest, Steve Zahn recently refuted Bryan Cranston’s statement. He claims he wasn’t really in the running for Walter White. The Joy Ride actor laughed off Cranston’s assertion before saying that he finds it hard to believe.
Cranston dropped a bombshell in his 2016 memoir, A Life in Parts. He wrote that Zahn was one of the top picks to portray Walter White’s role on Breaking Bad. It eventually went to Cranston, who nailed the role, bagging four Emmys for Best Actor in a Drama Series.
Zahn, however, disputed Cranston’s claim in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The outlet asked the 58-year-old if he was shortlisted to play Walter White. He was then inquired about if there was any real discussion with Gilligan, Sony, or AMC about taking on the role.
“No,” he replied instantly. When Cranston’s claim was brought up, Zahn laughed it off and said, “Oh, really!? Cranston is so awesome, but I find that hard to believe. I think Cranston is lying!”
“He’s in London right now doing a play, and I’m shooting in London… So I’m going to go talk to him,” Zahn added, referring to Cranston.
Notably, Cranston has been telling the story about Steve Zahn way before the release of his memoir. In 2012, the veteran actor told Rolling Stone that Breaking Bad execs weren’t initially sold on him for Walter White. They were unsure about the audience’s reaction to the beloved patriarch of Malcolm in the Middle portraying a chemistry teacher-turned-meth dealer.
Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi on ComingSoon.
