Bob Odenkirk once revealed he did not want to star in Better Call Saul: Here’s what convinced him

Better Call Saul certainly can not be imagined without Bob Odenkirk. The actor debuted the role of Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and became a fan-favorite, after which he landed his own prequel series on AMC, which became equally successful as the original crime drama.

The spin-off would not have happened had Bob Odenkirk not been a part of it. However, when the producers went to the actor with an offer to star in the show, he initially refused it. During a 2021 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Odenkirk revealed that he did not want to be a part of Better Call Saul as he did not want to stay away from his family, especially his young kids.

But when he refused the offer, his kids convinced him to take up the project, telling him that he would be disappointing the fans if he did not return for the prequel. Odenkirk ultimately accepted the offer, and the rest, they say, is history.

When Bob Odenkirk revealed he initially turned down Better Call Saul

When Bob Odenkirk was offered Better Call Saul, he knew that the show would be filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, while he lived in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

During his interview, Odenkirk revealed that he did not want to move away from his family, especially his 14-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter, and hence, he told his agent to turn down the offer sent by the producers, Sony Pictures Television Studios. He said:

“I knew we were going to shoot in Albuquerque, and I just thought, ‘I just can’t do it. They’re two years too young.’ They were probably 14 and 12. So I just felt that I couldn’t do it, so I said, ‘No.’”

However, while Odenkirk was on the call with his manager, his son, Nate, heard him and told him to grab the opportunity:

“They [my children] heard me and I hang up and I go. My son looks at me, and he goes, ‘So Dad, you are not gonna do that show?’ And I go, ‘No, son. I’m not. I don’t think we are ready for that.’ And he goes, ‘Well, you are gonna disappoint a lot of people.’ And I said, ‘Well, I’m gonna disappoint a lot of strangers. And he goes, ‘Well, some of them are my friends.’”

Odenkirk added that he had a discussion with his son, who ensured that they would make it work. His daughter, Erin, then also supported him and told him that he should accept the role. Hence, the actor agreed and decided to call his agent the next day, telling him to accept the offer.

On the other end, his manager told him that Sony had raised the offer, hoping that he would accept it, unaware that money was not the actual issue for Odenkirk. The actor eventually signed on the dotted line and impressed everyone with his impeccable performance as Jimmy McGill, aka Saul Goodman.

Trending

Despite the attorney’s questionable actions, the actor’s talent made the audience sympathize with the character. Better Call Saul aired six seasons between 2015 and 2022 and earned 53 Emmy Award nominations.

For more interesting features about Better Call Saul, stay tuned to Soap Central.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback