Bob Odenkirk, the comedian, actor, and New York Times best-selling author, spoke on Wednesday morning with Jon Hein and Gary Dell’Abate of the Stern Show Summer School about his upcoming film Nobody 2, which premieres in theaters on Friday, August 15. Known primarily for his role as a crafty lawyer in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Odenkirk acknowledges that his unexpected status as an action star adds a unique charm to the sequel.
He shared that the novelty of seeing him in such a high-energy role creates a playful disbelief among audiences.
“There’s a smile just in the whole thing of like, ‘Really? That’s insane. That could never happen,’
And I don’t mean the story in the movie — yes, that is patently exaggerated — I’m saying Bob Odenkirk kicking ass is a fucking joke! And you know it’s a joke, and that’s why it makes you smile.” —Bob Odenkirk
Impact of Howard Stern’s Endorsement on the Franchise
Odenkirk reflected on the important role radio personality Howard Stern played in the success of the original Nobody, which premiered in 2021. Stern’s enthusiastic support helped the film gain attention, ultimately allowing a sequel to be made.
“[Howard] loved it very much, and his support of it meant a lot to me,”
“We got to do a sequel because the first one played so well, and part of it is because of Howard. He was a big, big name to be talking about that film.” —Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk’s Connection to Chicago and His Role on FX’s The Bear
Beyond his action star persona, Odenkirk also discussed his supporting role on FX’s critically acclaimed series The Bear, which is set in his hometown of Chicago. He identified personally with the character Uncle Lee, describing how the role reminds him of people from his own life.
“[He] reminds me of a lot of guys my dad hung around with in Chicago,”
He emphasized Chicago’s significance as a nurturing environment for performers, especially comedians looking to develop their craft.
“Chicago is a great theater town, and it’s great place to start a career,”
“You can start out … under the radar, which is certainly what I needed, and what a lot of people need, I think — a chance to fuck up and be terrible and just keep going because you love the form, and you love the thing itself, and you want to be good one day, but you’re not good yet.” —Bob Odenkirk
Looking Ahead to the Release of Nobody 2
Nobody 2 will be available in theaters nationwide on Friday, promising fans more of the action-packed thrills combined with Odenkirk’s unexpected but compelling portrayal. This sequel continues to challenge traditional casting in action films, highlighting Odenkirk’s ability to surprise audiences while building on the momentum generated by both his earlier acting achievements and the positive reception from influential supporters like Howard Stern.
