Bryan Cranston Wants To Play Willie Nelson In A Biopic

In a recent interview with nme, beloved actor Bryan Cranston (most notably known for his roles in Seinfeld, Malcolm In the Middle, Breaking Bad), revealed he would love the opportunity to play Texas troubadour Willie Nelson in a biopic.

When asked whether there was “a musician or rock star” he would play, Cranston said: “Willie Nelson comes to mind. The hair and the beard. I think there’s some physical resemblance. He’s very old and wrinkled, and I can relate to that,” he said with a laugh. “So, I wouldn’t have to wear a lot of makeup.”

“Willie’s had a fascinating career – as a writer and as a performer, and as a free speech person, being anti-war and on the forefront of hemp [culture],” Cranston continued. “That’s kind of interesting to me, even though I don’t vibe with that stuff. I don’t like smoking, it just doesn’t do it for me.”

Nelson was recently a dual winner at the Grammy Awards, taking home ‘Best Country Solo Performance’ award for Live Forever and ‘Best Country Album’ for A Beautiful Time.

Nelson's Live Forever is a cover of Billy Joe Shaver's song, and it was included on the 12-track tribute album, Live Forever: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver, released in November 2022. The album also included tracks recorded by Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Edie Brickell, Steve Earle and more.

A Beautiful Time is Nelson’s 72nd solo studio album and was released on April 29, his 89th birthday. Produced by Buddy Cannon, the album includes covers of The Beatles and Leonard Cohen as well as the single I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die. It also peaked at #8 on the Australian ARIA Country Albums Chart.

Nelson will celebrate his 90th birthday this year with his friends and family at an all-star two-day concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Set to take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 29th and 30th, 2023 Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90, A Star-Studded Concert Celebrating Willie’s 90th Birthday will feature Nelson and dozens of performers, including Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, The Chicks, Kacey Musgraves, Neil Young, Rosanne Cash, Snoop Dogg, Allison Russell, Beck, Billy Strings, Charley Crockett, Lyle Lovett, Bobby Weir, Edie Brickell, Leon Bridges, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Norah Jones, Orville Peck, Particle Kid, Sheryl Crow, Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, Tom Jones, Tyler Childers, Warren Haynes and Ziggy Marley.

Six decades into his career, the singer-songwriter, author and activist is still going strong, with a new album — I Don't Know a Thing About Love — coming in March and a five-part documentary premiering at the Sundance Film Festival.