Bob Odenkirk, known for his roles in alt-comedy and as the physically unimposing lawyer Saul Goodman in "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul," underwent a significant transformation for his role in the action thriller "Nobody." This article explores Odenkirk's journey, detailing the training regimen he undertook to prepare for the film's demanding physicality.
From Comedy Writer to Action Star
For much of his career, Odenkirk's roles didn't require any significant physical prowess. But in "Nobody," he plays an unassuming father with a hidden lethal skill set that emerges after a home robbery. As Odenkirk himself puts it, "Nobody ever thought I could do it." He describes the film as "unironic, extremely bloody, and gratuitously violent." This role was "the ultimate test of the muscle he didn’t have" and it required three years of training.
The 87Eleven Experience
Odenkirk started his training at 87Eleven, the renowned Los Angeles action-design company that had previously transformed Charlize Theron for "Atomic Blonde" and Keanu Reeves for "John Wick." Odenkirk felt out of place initially. "They were probably thinking I’d last a month, or that I’ll do the minimum and then let a stunt guy come in and take my place in fight sequences," he recalls.
The Workout Regimen
However, Odenkirk found the workouts to be surprisingly enjoyable. He connected with veteran action-stunt actor Daniel Bernhardt, who became his mentor. Bernhardt taught him the fundamentals of onscreen fighting, incorporating moves from various martial arts.
Bernhardt also adjusted Odenkirk's cardio routine, advising him that short bike rides and jogging were not the most efficient use of his time. Instead, he prescribed basic home circuit workouts, including exercises like jump squats, pushups, pullups, and bench stepups.
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Cardio Warmup
- Bike Ride: 10 to 15 minutes
Stunt Conditioning Drills
- Duration: 10 to 15 minutes
Strength Training
- Pullups: 3 sets of 10 reps
Circuit Training
- Box Jumps: 4 rounds of 25 reps
- Pushups: 4 rounds of 25 reps
- Squats: 4 rounds of 25 reps
- Abs Exercises: 4 rounds of 1 minute
- Boxing Pad Work: 3 rounds of 3 minutes
Embracing the Challenge
The intense training had a transformative effect on Odenkirk's body. After several months, he progressed to longer and more challenging bike rides, tackling a winding neighborhood hill. He supplemented these rides with Bernhardt's mobility and upper-body exercises in his backyard.
Odenkirk even found a makeshift pullup bar in his backyard - a branch extending from a tree. He uses this to perform pullups, an exercise he acknowledges as one of the most challenging, but also one he now enjoys.
More Than Just Physicality
Odenkirk emphasizes the importance of maintaining energy levels as one gets older. "You need renewed energy as you get older," he says. "Working out is where you can generate that energy."
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