Bob Odenkirk is discussing the difficulties he faced while portraying Saul Goodman in “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” “Better Call Saul” follows Walter White’s unscrupulous lawyer, exploring the other side of running a drug empire. In the show, Jimmy McGill gradually transforms into the ruthless Saul, growing increasingly darker with each early episode.
“Better Call Saul” takes significant risks, one of which is having a protagonist who is essentially a reckless criminal in formal wear. This aspect of the show was, in many ways, the most challenging. Bob Odenkirk recently discussed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter how Saul’s overall demeanor and personality posed difficulties for him as an actor. Below is his statement:
It was hard to play a guy who is as clueless about himself as Saul was, about the big things about himself. Because he was so smart about people, but he just didn’t see himself until the very end of that series.
Will Saul appear again?
In the finale of Better Call Saul, White’s attorney undergoes a transformative realization of his own identity, leading him to reject the personas of Saul and Gene Takavic and reclaim his true self as Jimmy McGill. However, this newfound sense of self comes at a steep price for Jimmy, as he must face a lifetime of imprisonment.
Although Goodman’s story seemingly concludes with his imprisonment, there remains a possibility for his character to reappear in future shows set in the same universe. For instance, he could star in episodes set before his incarceration, much like how Walter White appeared in Better Call Saul. Alternatively, future episodes could showcase visits to jail, providing a platform for McGill to demonstrate how much he has evolved over time.
Regrettably, the likelihood of the Breaking Bad universe returning in the near future seems slim, as show creator Vince Gilligan is currently occupied with other endeavors. If any additional spin-offs for Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul were to be developed, it would probably be after a considerable hiatus, affording Gilligan the opportunity to explore fresh concepts with new shows. Although Better Call Saul starring Odenkirk was an exceptional series, there are still some avenues for extending the storyline that should be considered.