Bryan Cranston is used to making big moves.
Years ago he successfully transitioned from being a beloved comic actor to one of televisions biggest dramatic stars. Now he's starring in the Broadway adaptation of the 1976 film, Network, in Peter Finch's iconic role as Howard Beale.
Cranston confirms to 710 WOR New York's Len Berman and Michael Riedel that he had reservations about putting himself in a position to being compared to Finch. Ultimately, Cranston says he would have said no to a role in a film remake, but because this was Broadway, he felt the show would be different enough.
"I thought, 'It'll be a little different, and you know, there's enough time — 40 some odd years — separating it, so I think a new generation could be introduced to a new version of it," he says. "And the goal for every actor is to try and make your own mark and create a different approach to the character. And I hope that's what I did."
The Beale character delivers a number of impassioned speeches. While Finch had the luxury of taking a break between scenes during the making of the film, Cranston says he's thoroughly spent by the time he gets off stage each night.
"It is exhilarating to perform and exhausting to perform. They coexist. Fortunately, for most actors when you're doing it, you feel invigorated and energized. It's not until after the adrenaline wears off that you start going, 'Oh, my god, I can't believe how trashed, I am!' It's kind of like a sporting event where the athlete goes out and you do it and you don't feel the pains of the bumps and bruises until the next day. And I feel it the next day; I'm exhausting."
You can listen to Cranston's entire interview in the player above!
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