Bob Odenkirk, widely recognized for his role as Saul Goodman in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has expressed his contentment with stepping away from the character that defined much of his recent career. After portraying the cunning lawyer for Walter White (Bryan Cranston) across multiple seasons of both series, Odenkirk is now focusing on new acting challenges, including his role as Hutch Mansell in the action sequel Nobody 2.
In Nobody 2, Odenkirk returns as Hutch Mansell, a former assassin turned family man who must confront his violent past to tackle a ruthless Russian crime lord. Alongside co-stars Connie Nielsen, RZA, and Colin Hanks, Odenkirk continues the gritty and intense narrative established in the first film.
Examining the Emotional Toll of Iconic Roles
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter ahead of Nobody 2’s release, Odenkirk revealed that both Saul Goodman and Hutch Mansell are characters weighed down by deep-seated frustration. He remarked that playing such complex individuals, each burdened with significant personal struggles, can be emotionally demanding over time. This emotional depth, while compelling, makes it difficult to sustain these roles indefinitely.
He was great, and I enjoyed playing him. Both Hutch Mansell in Nobody and Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul have a lot of impacted frustration inside them. They’re guys who, for different reasons, have pretty big chips on their shoulders, and that’s hard to play after a while. You can’t just carry that guy around all the time. So I’m fine with moving on from them both, although I would do more Hutch. I would do a third or fourth [Nobody] film.
—Bob Odenkirk, Actor
The Future of Jimmy McGill and Saul Goodman
For nearly 15 years, Bob Odenkirk inhabited the complex personas of Jimmy McGill, Saul Goodman, and briefly Gene Takavic within the expansive Breaking Bad universe. The depth and emotional demands of these intertwined characters inevitably shaped Odenkirk’s experience, contributing to his readiness to close this chapter of his career.
Having completed Saul Goodman’s story arc—culminating in his acceptance of his true identity and his prison sentence—the actor seems content leaving the character’s journey behind. This move opens up the possibility for Odenkirk to dedicate more energy to the successful Nobody franchise, which has been met with positive reception, including an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its sequel.
Transitioning From Legal Drama to Action Roles
The character of Saul Goodman evolved from the shady lawyer glimpsed in Breaking Bad to a fully fleshed-out protagonist in Better Call Saul, revealing the personal cost behind his morally ambiguous decisions. The series provided closure by showing Jimmy McGill embracing the consequences of his actions, leaving little room for narrative continuation in that universe.
With Odenkirk now keen to explore more as Hutch Mansell, audiences can anticipate a fresh wave of intense, action-driven storytelling. The actor’s willingness to continue with additional installments of the Nobody films signals a new creative chapter, marked by less psychological turmoil and more dynamic physical performance.
Bob Odenkirk’s Next Steps in Acting
As Bob Odenkirk moves away from the iconic Saul Goodman persona, he steps into roles that provide new challenges and different emotional landscapes. While the character of Saul will remain a defining part of his legacy, Odenkirk’s openness to expanding the Nobody saga points to his evolving career path.
Fans can expect to see Odenkirk embrace the complex but distinct journey of Hutch Mansell, potentially in future sequels, where the focus shifts to high-stakes conflict and action rather than legal drama. This transition reflects both the actor’s personal readiness and the ongoing demand for his compelling performances.
