Walter White Is Known For That Infamous Machine Gun Scene, But Did You Know Bryan Cranston Is Also Good At Nerf Gun Wars?

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As a fervent admirer of the extraordinary craftsmanship displayed by actors in the realm of television, I must express my deepest respect and awe for Bryan Cranston. His portrayal of Walter White in Breaking Bad was nothing short of phenomenal, transforming him from a beloved comedic actor into one of peak TV’s most revered thespians. However, it’s his off-screen antics that truly captivate me. Who would have thought that the man who mastered the art of cooking near-perfect meth and rigging machine guns for television would also join Nerf gun wars on the set of Modern Family?

Over the course of five gripping seasons, I’ve witnessed Bryan Cranston transform from a cherished comedic actor into one of television’s most revered dramatic artists, primarily due to his chilling portrayal of Walter White. Initially a respected high school chemistry teacher, Walter White morphed into a mastermind of criminal activities. He honed his skills in the illicit production of near-perfect meth, planting explosives, and even devising the show’s iconic “machine gun in the trunk of the Cadillac” setup.

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You know, I’ve always admired Walter White’s knack for handling machine guns, though Vince Gilligan has expressed regret over its portrayal in the series. Yet, there’s another side of Bryan Cranston that not many might be aware of – he enjoys a good Nerf gun battle! This usually happens whenever he’s invited to join, as was the case on the set of Modern Family when the Emmy-winning actor dropped by to lend his directing skills.

On Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast “Dinner’s On Me,” Nolan Gould, a cast member from “Modern Family,” recounted his and fellow actors Ariel Winter and Rico Rodriguez’s mischievous antics backstage. He proudly shared the story of how he managed to persuade a renowned actor to join in their horseplay.

Did you ever recall those impromptu Nerf battles we’d engage in on set once filming was wrapped up? My proudest moment was successfully convincing Bryan Cranston, during the peak of his fame from Breaking Bad, to join in.

Host Jesse Tyler Ferguson clearly recalled that incident, prompting him to encourage Gould to delve deeper into the subject. In response, the actor from “To Do List” did so.

As one who’s had the pleasure of working under Bryan’s direction, one unforgettable day, I can’t quite recall how it happened, but we extended an invitation for him to join our Nerf gun playtime. To my delight, he accepted! Thus, we have pictures capturing us, fully equipped with these foam-bullet toys, alongside the legendary Walter White himself.

Later on, Ferguson acknowledged that he had already invited Bryan Cranston onto his podcast before, and during their conversation, they discussed the Nerf gun incident. To quote Jason Segel (Mitchell Pritchett’s character), he had mentioned this experience back then.

1) He appeared on the podcast, and shared that tale as well. Essentially, he conveyed much the same message. It seemed that the real sign of his acceptance by the crew was when the children asked to spend time with him. [This implies] essentially the same thing. I believe that was a clear indication of being welcomed by the cast is if the kids wanted to socialize with him.

Unlike shows like “Modern Family” and “Malcolm in the Middle,” where there were plenty of young actors running around, “Breaking Bad” had a more subdued presence of child characters. While Walter and Skylar did have a baby, it wasn’t until later in the series, making it less suitable (and perhaps not as enjoyable) for Nerf gun battles!

Cravanston has not only directed two episodes of Modern Family, one in Season 3 and another in Season 5, but he has also had significant experience behind the camera. He has overseen three episodes of Breaking Bad, several episodes of Sneaky Pete and Your Honor on Showtime, as well as an episode of The Office where a car stunt was close to disaster, along with seven episodes of Malcolm in his directorial repertoire.

It’s unlikely that his skills as a director will prompt him to leave his current job right away. Last year, Cranston’s comments about possibly leaving acting caused quite a stir, which he probably didn’t anticipate. However, he later clarified that when he turns 70 in 2026, he might take a break from acting, but not completely retire from the field.

First, the actor will revisit his television sitcom past by appearing in the confirmed revival of “Malcolm in the Middle”. This comeback is expected to air on schedules for the 2025 premiere season, fingers crossed!

For now, enthusiasts have the option to revisit the entire series of “Breaking Bad” on Netflix, or enjoy the complete collection of “Modern Family” on Hulu by subscribing to their respective streaming platforms.

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2024-12-28 21:37