Static Media
If you’re a fan of Robert Kirkman’s superhero comic “Invincible,” you’ve probably noticed how the characters of the animated series have become almost inseparable from their voices. The cast of the Prime Video’s “Invincible” series is a veritable who’s who of the entertainment industry, featuring renowned celebrities like Seth Rogen and Mark Hamill, accomplished TV actors such as Sandra Oh, Walton Goggins, Clancy Brown, and distinguished voice actors including Grey DeLisle, Kevin Michael Richardson and Peter “Optimus Prime” Cullen. The main character, Mark Grayson, is brought to life by Steven Yeun, who is best known for his role as Glenn on “The Walking Dead,” another Kirkman comic adaptation. However, the standout performance to date is arguably J.K. Simmons as Mark’s superhero father, Omni-Man, a role he seems to have been born to play, just like his unforgettable portrayal of J. Jonah Jameson in “Spider-Man.”
The third season of “Invincible” has raised the bar even higher, with the inclusion of two alumni from the critically acclaimed series “Breaking Bad.” Aaron Paul, the actor behind the unforgettable Jesse Pinkman, lends his voice to Scott Duvall/Powerplex, an energy-manipulating supervillain with a bone to pick with Invincible. Jonathan Banks, best known for his portrayal of Mike Ehrmantrau, has also joined the cast in an undetermined role.
Unfortunately, Bryan Cranston, who played the iconic Walter White in “Breaking Bad,” has yet to join the cast. In a recent interview with Discussing Film, Kirkman let slip that Bryan Cranston is the only actor that has declined their offers.
“An actor being considered for a role can sometimes be a delightful surprise. Such unexpected casting choices are often the most exciting. As for dream casting, we seem to have developed a tradition of offering Bryan Cranston a role every season. Unfortunately, his tradition seems to be turning us down. But we’re not giving up, Bryan. We’ll be knocking on your door again, and we hope next time will be the charm. Fingers crossed!”
Considering that Cranston nearly passed up his career-defining role in “Breaking Bad,” one might think he would be more open to new opportunities. However, it seems that this is not the case.
Bryan Cranston Turns Down Roles in Invincible, Says Robert Kirkman
AMC
Cranston’s absence is particularly noticeable considering that “Invincible” has managed to enlist Jon Hamm, another of AMC’s most recognizable leading men. Hamm, who portrayed Don Draper in “Mad Men,” made a cameo in the first episode of “Invincible” as Steve, a Secret Service agent who narrowly avoids being caught in a superhero battle on the White House lawn.
Cranston is no stranger to voice acting. He lent his voice to English dubs of anime series like “Macross Plus” and “Tekkaman Blade” during the ’80s and ’90s, and even played two costumed villains on “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.” In the realm of superhero projects, he voiced Jim Gordon in the animated film “Batman: Year One” in 2011. However, Cranston has yet to join either the Marvel Cinematic Universe or any DC film franchise. He has previously expressed interest in playing the X-Men villain Mister Sinister, and in a 2018 interview with Screen Geek, he revealed his two rules for accepting a superhero movie role:
“I want to play a villain who is a touch smarter than the hero, rather than being dumbed down to ensure an easy victory for the protagonist. That’s just frustrating and boring to watch. Also, I don’t want to play a character that has been done to death. I don’t want to be compared to previous portrayals of the same character. I want to bring something new to the table.”
Since “Invincible” is a fresh adaptation, it should theoretically meet Cranston’s criteria. So, which “Invincible” character could he play? While the roles he was initially offered have likely been filled by now, there are still plenty of characters yet to be introduced. He could potentially play Grand Regent Thragg, the ruler of the Viltrumite Empire and Invincible’s strongest adversary. His commanding voice would certainly fit the bill. Alternatively, he could voice Dinosaurus, a radical environmentalist villain who can transform into a red-skinned reptile, reminiscent of Spider-Man’s nemesis, the Lizard. Cranston’s portrayal of Walter White was all about uncovering the darkness in an ordinary man, a theme that could be explored in a more literal sense with Dinosaurus. We can only hope that he finally agrees to lend his talents to “Invincible.”
“Invincible” is currently available for streaming on Prime Video, with new episodes released every Thursday.
FAQs
Q: Who is the voice of Mark Grayson in “Invincible?”
A: Mark Grayson is voiced by Steven Yeun, best known for his role as Glenn on “The Walking Dead.”
Q: Who are some of the notable actors in the “Invincible” voice cast?
A: The voice cast includes Seth Rogen, Mark Hamill, Sandra Oh, Walton Goggins, Clancy Brown, Grey DeLisle, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Peter “Optimus Prime” Cullen.
Q: Has Bryan Cranston ever done voice acting before?
A: Yes, Cranston has done voice acting for anime series in the ’80s and ’90s, as well as for the animated film “Batman: Year One.”
Q: What is Bryan Cranston’s condition for accepting a superhero movie role?
A: Cranston has stated that he would like to play a villain who is slightly smarter than the hero and that he doesn’t want to play a character that has been done multiple times before.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
