Bryan Cranston hits the big screen next as part of the ensemble cast of Wes Anderson‘s latest opus, “Asteroid City.” But don’t expect the actor in any follow-ups Anderson plans, at least after 2026. Indiewire (via British GQ) reports that Cranston plans to retire that year after he turns 70 and then move to France. How’s that for a Hollywood exit?
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But is Cranston’s retirement plan a permanent one? Not quite. Cranston explained to British GQ that in 2026, he’ll shut down his production company, Moonshot Entertainment, take at least a six-month break from acting, and settle down in France with his wife, Robin Dearden. So while that marks a dramatic shift in Cranston’s location and professional responsibilities, there’s an outside shot he may act again after half a year.
But Cranston feels like he owes it to himself to retire properly after an acting career that’s lasted over four decades. “I want to have that experience. I want to go for day trips and have the fire in the fireplace and drink wine with new friends and not read scripts,” Cranston explained. “It’s not going to be like, ‘Oh, I’ll read and see what I’m going to do.’ No, it’s a pause. It’s a stop. It’s about taking a chance. I’m used to that feeling of not knowing.”
Cranston hopes retirement allows him more time with his wife, too, especially doing things that don’t revolve around his celebrity. “I want to change the paradigm once again,” the actor continued. “For the last 24 years, Robin has led her life holding onto my tail. She’s been the plus one, she’s been the wife of a celebrity. She’s had to pivot and adjust her life based on mine. She has tremendous benefit from it, but we’re uneven. I want to level that out. She deserves it.”
So what will Cranston work on in the remaining years he hast left in Hollywood. Well, beyond “Asteroid City,” which opens in limited theaters next week, the actor also has Matthew Vaughn‘s spy thriller “Argylle” on the way, as well as the drama “Everything Is Going To Be Great,” filming now. And don’t rule out a “Malcolm In The Middle” reunion of some sort either. “It’s a possibility,” Cranston told The Independent in February 2023. The actor also said that he and series creator Linwood Boomer discussed a “Malcolm” movie. “He said he would think about it, and he got his writers together. If they can come up with a great idea, a legitimate idea, then he’ll pursue it. But if not, then nah. I don’t need a job. I’ve got plenty of jobs. I don’t need it, but I’d want it if it was a great idea.”
So, less than three years and counting before Cranston hands up his acting shoes. Again, don’t consider the actor’s retirement permanent, but also expect him to nab a couple more exciting roles before he heads off to L’hexagone.
