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The COVID-19 pandemic made life hell for everybody. The industry wasn’t exempted. Shootings came to a standstill. It ain’t easy getting work done when you have to maintain social distancing. While the pandemic was not making it easy,Better Call Saulhad other hiccups along the way as well.
The final season of the show was shot when the pandemic was ravaging the world. Shooting had to be planned meticulously. The workforce had to be significantly toned down. And just when the makers of theBreaking Badspinoff were dealing with all these headaches, they came face-to-face with one of their worst nightmares.
The final season ofBetter Call Saulalmost didn’t see the light of day
It was on a fateful day in 2021 thatBob Odenkirk, the man portraying the titular protagonist, had a massive heart attack. All hell broke loose then. At the time, everyone was on a break during the filming of the final season’s eighth episode.
Peter Gould, who was in LA at the time, was left dumbfounded upon receiving the news. It was for Alan Sepinwall’s book,Saul Goodman v. Jimmy McGill: The Complete Critical Companion to Better Call Saul, that the co-creator relived his memories of the horrifying period once again.
When asked about his experience on that fateful day, he said,
I was back in L.A. Vince [Gilligan] called me because he had been directing when it happened, and said, ‘Melissa [Bernstein] and I are in a car, we’re following an ambulance. Bob collapsed on the set, and it really doesn’t look good.’
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TheToo Big To Failwriter then revealed how they got Odenkirk’s family to Albuquerque ASAP. While theNobodystar was out of danger, returning to shooting seemed far off. And Gould had a move in mind that could have sent shockwaves across Sony.
Bob Odenkirk scripted a heroic comeback
There was no surety about Bob Odenkirk’s return to action. Everyone was only concerned about one thing, be it Rhea Seehorn, or Vince Gilligan – the 62-year-old’s health. The doctors had made it clear that Odenkirk needed some time before doing anything straining.
Would the shooting commence again? When would that happen? Would they recast him (Gould admitted that was never an option)? Just like that, out of nowhere, everything went up in smoke. There was a time when the creators were seriously mulling over calling it a day if the lead wouldn’t be able to return. But the man himself had other plans.
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Gould said,
…Pretty soon, amazingly enough, I don’t remember exactly the timeline, but I was on the phone with Bob himself, and I could hear he was himself, but he wasn’t remembering things quite right. He was in the room with Naomi and he said, ‘Peter, I have nothing to do here. Please send me a script so I can study up. I know you don’t like to send them too early.’ (Rolling Stone)
TheLucky Hankstar’s wife was not thrilled by the idea. His doctors had instructed him to strictly rest for some time. Yet Peter Gould reveals Odenkirk would have none of it.
Even Better Call Saul Doesn’t Have This Honor: The $57M Movie Bob Odenkirk Credits With Saving His Life
TheLittle Womenstar was back. But there was a whole set of rules. Some were laid down by the doctor. Some by Gould & co. The aim? Keep the workaholic star under a leash (and in the pink of health). It was amidst all this that they shot the sixth season.
So the next time, you ever think of enjoyingBetter Call Saul,remember that it almost didn’t make it to the end.
Smriti Sneh
Articles Published :479
Smriti Sneh is a Content Writer at Fandom Wire specializing in celebrities and everything pop-culture. Being a literature research scholar, she is cashing in on her writing skills by working in the entertainment news sector - studying literary theories by day, and navigating celebrity net worth through the night. Although you can find her writing poems at any and all hours.
