Bob Odenkirk unexpectedly entered the action-hero scene with Nobody (2021), but the Emmy-winning actor has since shown he’s more than ready for the challenges. In Nobody 2, Odenkirk’s character Hutch Mansell attempts to escape chaos with a family getaway, only for trouble to catch up on day one. Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, the sequel heightens the excitement with more intense fights, sinister villains, and even a humorous duck boat brawl reminiscent of Jackie Chan’s comedic style.
Odenkirk emphasizes that what makes Nobody impactful isn’t just the thrilling action — it’s the core family story. In a candid discussion, he talks about expanding Connie Nielsen’s role as Becca, introducing new cast members like Sharon Stone, John Ortiz, and Colin Hanks, and why his training for Hutch never really stopped. He also shares how his personal experiences, including past break-ins and family challenges, influenced the series. Here are the highlights from our conversation:
We appreciate this action movie, but there are strong family themes. Why was it crucial to show this side of Hutch’s story?
I reflected on why people connected with Nobody (Part 1); the action was outstanding — shot by Ilya Naishuller and choreographed by Greg Rementer. But the true connection was with the relatable tensions of being a father, a family man, and maintaining a long-term relationship, which can be tough. It was essential to reconnect with that family dynamic, making them feel genuine and showing their love despite life’s challenges. For me, it’s the essence of Nobody, and without it, the action doesn’t matter.
About your family, Connie is back as your wife and has a more active role. Can you discuss her expanded part?
Yes, she’s more involved now. She takes on some action scenes. At the end of Nobody (Part 1), I asked her if she’d be open to doing action in Nobody 2 if it happened, and she was thrilled. She’s trained for action in other films, including Gladiator. She said she’s ready anytime. One theme in Nobody was the husband and wife who’ve lost touch, but in Nobody 2, I wanted the wife to remind Hutch of her power, choice, and capability. She does just that by the film’s end.
You’ve got some incredible new cast members. Can you discuss them?
John Ortiz is fantastic. He’s one of the great actors and delivers as Wyatt Martin. I love Colin Hanks; I worked with him on Fargo. We needed a deceptive villain, and Colin fit perfectly, playing a truly evil character. Sharon Stone is our “big bad,” bringing the needed charisma and presence to the role. Sharon embraced it completely.
Let’s talk about director Timo’s style and what he brings to the film.
Timo Tjahjanto is a brilliant director, known for films like The Night Comes For Us, available on streaming. He’s skilled in horror and action, creating visually captivating, impressive scenes. I wanted Nobody 2 to be bigger than its predecessor, with grander visuals and sequences, and Timo was the right choice.
I’m excited that while Timo is an expert in dark, bloody action beloved by fans, he also embraced the humor and fun, like the duck boat fight reminiscent of Jackie Chan’s style. He expanded his vision, elevating Nobody 2.
Discuss your dedication to the role and training. We’ve heard you never stopped after Nobody. Can you elaborate?
Yes, Nobody is almost a personal film for me. My family experienced two break-ins. When discussing the movie with Derek Kolstad, I shared my lingering feelings of frustration and resentment, wanting to express them onscreen.
In Nobody 2, we visit Plummerville, which in my mind resembles the Dells. As a kid, I had two vacations: to the Illinois State Fair and the Wisconsin Dells. Unfortunately, the Dells is too nice for Nobody 2’s setting but reflects a family vacation that’s often less relaxing than anticipated.
