Bryan Cranston’s Bizarre Role in Wes Anderson’s Underrated Film Will Shock You!
Bryan Cranston’s career path is unique and captivating, standing out among actors due to its unpredictable nature. He has firmly established himself as a staple in television, with his performances in shows like “Malcolm in the Middle” as Hal and his groundbreaking portrayal of Walter White in Vince Gilligan’s “Breaking Bad.” Although he is already a TV legend, especially given that “Breaking Bad” consistently ranks among the best series ever made, Cranston has yet to solidify an iconic role beyond these performances.
In my perspective, some notable performances I’ve given have been in films like Jay Roach’s “Trumbo,” where I played the title character with a powerful presence, or the remake of “The Intouchables” in 2017, which was both contentious and impressive. However, that iconic role that truly cements my career transition from television to cinema is yet to come. When it was announced that I would be part of Wes Anderson’s underappreciated masterpiece, “Asteroid City,” in 2022, many speculated that this could be the role. But alas, my character in “Asteroid City” was too insignificant to fill this role and, surprisingly, it turned out to be one of the most puzzling aspects of an already underrated film.
What is Asteroid City About?
Wes Anderson has been consistently delivering outstanding films since he made his debut alongside Owen Wilson 29 years ago. From his first movie, “Bottle Rocket“, to his latest, “The Grand Budapest Hotel“, and every project in between, Anderson’s talent is undeniable at this stage of his career. Over the years, he has built a remarkable network of actors, writers, and collaborators, and no film showcases that more than “Asteroid City”.
A diverse array of acclaimed actors such as Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Carell, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, Liev Schrieber, and Matt Dillon, along with an unspoken team of talented professionals behind the scenes, contribute to the seemingly preposterous notion that Asteroid City is overlooked. Remarkably, this perception persists.
In the tradition of a typical Wes Anderson film, each actor delivered their top-notch, subtle emotional performances, yet these didn’t translate into global adoration for the movie. The film, titled Asteroid City, offers a whimsical storyline set in the stylishly nostalgic and futuristic desert town of Asteroid City, where a Junior Stargazer convention is about to unfold.
The central narrative of the movie revolves around Augie Steenbeck, played by Jason Schwartzman, who is a mourning and introverted widower hiding his wife’s demise from his kids. Together with his gifted astronomer son, Woodrow, and his triplet daughters, they embark on a journey to Asteroid City. However, their trip turns out to be quite unexpected. In the town, Augie encounters an assortment of peculiar characters, ranging from innkeepers to researchers to military personnel. Yet, it’s Scarlett Johansson’s character, Midge, who helps Augie break out of his shell.
At the start of the usual proceedings, an extraterrestrial suddenly emerges and swiftly nabs a meteorite. Without the townspeople even realizing it, Asteroid City is sealed off by authorities, preventing any movement in or out. The unexpected confinement pushes these characters to face their internal conflicts, hidden truths, and outstanding wounds, ultimately resulting in Wes Anderson’s most emotionally healing film yet.
At first glance, this tale may appear straightforward, but it unfolds across three layers of fiction within fiction. Within the movie itself, the narrative we see is a play, which in turn becomes the focus of a television documentary. To put it simply, Asteroid City depicts a real documentary about a fictional writer creating a fictitious play. The film’s intricate metafictional layers can seem complex and challenging, but they serve a purpose rather than just adding confusion for its own sake.
Bryan Cranston’s Strange Role in Asteroid City
one is about the team behind a play named Asteroid City – the writers, directors, actors, and so on – as they create this production; the other is the story within that play itself. The characters in the movie encompass those involved in making the play as well as those who are part of the play’s narrative. However, Bryan Cranston’s character stands out because his role seems puzzling and doesn’t neatly fit into either of these two groups.
In the movie “Asteroid City,” Bryan Cranston plays a role as the central figure, referred to as “The Host.” His character oversees an anthology series that delves into the development of the main stage production. Throughout the film, he occasionally reappears, offering insights about either the playwright, Conrad Earp (portrayed by Edward Norton), or the director, Schubert Green (played by Adrien Brody). The presence of his character is generally appreciated and even brings some genuinely funny scenes, such as when he unexpectedly enters too early and engages with the characters within the play.
Bryan Cranston’s portrayal is impressive and shouldn’t be dismissed, yet it could use some constructive feedback. This critique, though, isn’t aimed at Cranston personally, but rather at Wes Anderson and collaborator Roman Coppola. In the movie Asteroid City, they’ve intentionally kept things vague and subtly layered to symbolize the deeply suppressed emotions of its central figures. The film effectively achieves this emotional release, but it pushes the boundaries a bit too much.
In this movie, the cleverness of it being aware of itself shines brightly, particularly in Jason Schwartzman playing both Augie Steenbeck and Jones Hall, who plays Augie Steenbeck on screen. Scenes like Schwartzman’s interplay with Margot Robbie on the theater balcony show why this film required a double layer of meta-fiction. Without that scene, the relationship between acting and navigating grief remains unclear. The second layer works well, but the third adds very little beyond some enjoyable humor moments. Besides these funny instances, Bryan Cranston’s “The Host” character and the entire television anthology series that sets the stage for the film only serve to create confusion.
Asteroid City is Still 1 of Wes Anderson’s Best
The competition for the prestigious award is intense and contentious, with each newly released film presenting a solid candidate. While popular choices often include Gene Hackman’s masterful performance in The Royal Tenenbaums, Wes Anderson’s ensembles work in The Grand Budapest Hotel, and his stop-motion animated debut, Fantastic Mr. Fox, a determined group is rallying support for the lesser-known contender, Asteroid City.
Regardless of its intricate layers of fictional storytelling, this movie offers something for every type of fan of Wes Anderson’s work. It showcases the exaggerated, dreamlike aesthetic found in films like “The French Dispatch“, the subdued sadness seen in movies such as “The Royal Tenenbaums” and “Rushmore“, and the hilarious humor characteristic of “The Grand Budapest Hotel“.
As Anderson’s reputation has grown to near-legendary status, he has become increasingly conscious of his image as a filmmaker who repeats certain themes. To counteract this perception, he has fully embraced his unique style, resulting in a work that teeters between genius and self-parody. Since it is a blend of all his films up until 2023, it’s not surprising that the film starring Jason Schwartzman has garnered a devoted fanbase.
| IMDB Score | Tomatometer | Popcornmeter | Letterboxd Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.4/10 | 76% | 62% | 3.5/5 |
Despite being relatively overlooked in Wes Anderson’s distinguished body of work, “Asteroid City” has garnered substantial recognition overall. By 2025, this 2023 production had earned a ‘certified fresh’ status on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting an impressive 76% approval from critics and a gradually increasing 62% rating from viewers. Although it may move at a leisurely pace, the fan base for “Asteroid City” is steadily expanding, with enthusiasts on platforms like Letterboxd and Twitter spearheading its growing popularity online.
Bryan Cranston’s performance in “Asteroid City” was as peculiar as possible. It might not have been the blockbuster hit he rightfully deserves on the big screen, but it presented an intriguing character nonetheless. The movie’s complex three-tiered narrative made Cranston’s character seem somewhat detached, yet his skill was evident enough for him to secure a role in Anderson’s next film, “The Phoenician Scheme.” With the May 30th release date of “The Phoenician Scheme” approaching, fans can only cross their fingers that Cranston’s part aligns better with his immense abilities.
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2025-05-29 02:51