Why Bob Odenkirk Didn't Want To Bulk Up For Nobody

The action film "Nobody" hit theaters at a time when the pandemic-era box office was only starting to bounce back — which is to say, if you haven't seen it yet, you should. It tells the story of a man named Hutch, who lives a dull suburban life. Each day he jogs, goes to work, and disappoints his family with his banality. When their home is broken into, his kid gets punched, and everyone thinks he's a failure. He's ... well, a nobody. That is, until, the proverbial crap hits the fan. Then Hutch's entire life changes, and we learn what he's been hiding under his everyday dad's existence. Hutch is a badass who has a history of taking down targets for years but has retired.

So, who played Hutch? Some hulked-out action star? Nope. It was Bob Odenkirk ("Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul"). The film worked because Odenkirk wasn't hiding some wildly muscular physique behind his dad sweaters. He looked like a normal human being who had been doing his best to keep in shape without Hollywood trainers, a nutritionist, and a private chef. He's got skills, and they're deadly, but he doesn't look like he's been genetically gifted or has superpowers. Frankly, it was wonderful to see.

Odenkirk spoke with The Guardian about the film in 2021 and explained why he didn't want to bulk up for "Nobody." His logic, put simply, makes perfect sense.

As Bob Odenkirk explained to The Guardian, he spent two years training for "Nobody" with Daniel Bernhardt, who is a stunt actor you might know from "Barry." But while he went all-out in preparing for the film, he was "totally against bulking up:"

"I didn't want to look like a superhero. I've had friends who do these superhero movies, and they do that kind of weight training, and it's all about their biceps and all that s***. I said: 'I want to do my own fighting, but I also want to look like a dad.'"

That totally makes sense, and it's beautiful to hear. I'm not saying it isn't a lovely thing to watch the results of people like Jason Momoa in "Aquaman" or Alexander Skarsgård in "The Northman" work out non-stop with trainers for their films. Of course, I'm a massive fan of stunts and training techniques, but these characters are a magical superhero and a mythical hero from a Norse legend, respectively. They're not supposed to look like everyone else. Hutch, however, is hiding in plain sight after giving up a brutal career. There is no reason to expect that he'd be completely ripped. 

Odenkirk, on the other hand, is a real-life superhero. He had a heart attack while filming the sixth season of "Better Call Saul" and was back at work six weeks later. I'd say that qualifies him for a cape. 

Here's hoping that the sequel to "Nobody" – which is reportedly being developed by producers David Leitch and Kelly McCormick's 87North Productions – happens.

"Nobody" is currently streaming on HBO Max.