Bob Odenkirk & Lena Headey Talk Normal, Playing a 'Prank on the Universe' | Interview

ComingSoon editor-in-chief Tyler Treese spoke with Normal stars Bob Odenkirk and Lena Headey (read about her other new film Ballistic) about thenew action movie. The duo discussed Odenkirk becoming an unlikely action star, their characters, and working together. The film is out in theaters starting today.

“For Sheriff Ulysses (Odenkirk), his provisional posting to the quaint Midwestern American town of Normal was meant to be a welcome respite from both his marital woes and recent moral injuries in the line of duty. But when a botched bank robbery interrupts the municipality’s tranquil pace, a dark secret is inadvertently exposed, and Ulysses soon discovers that the town is anything but its namesake,” says the synopsis.

Tyler Treese: Bob, I used to watch Mr. Show religiously, and for as much range as you would show, I never would’ve guessed you’d become such an action star. It’s been so cool to see. You’ve completely risen to the occasion in these movies. What’s been most rewarding about this unlikely rise and now doing three of these movies written by Derek Kolstad?

Bob Odenkirk: It’s fun to play a prank on the universe and on all your fans and friends. It really is fun to do something so outside the box. Of course, the fact that it worked, which is to say I got to do more than one, is crazy.

Because obviously Nobody, if it hadn’t worked, I would’ve looked like an absolute midlife crisis idiot, which I don’t mind looking like. I don’t mind. That’s the thing. If it didn’t work, I would’ve been like, “Yeah, well, who would’ve thought that would work? Why?”

But showbiz is a business that it’s hard, but you can reinvent yourself. Of course, I gave it everything I had. I never stopped working to do a good job, but that doesn’t mean it’ll work out. I feel very lucky that it did.

This takes place in Normal, Minnesota, and Minnesota has a very iconic accent. How was it finding your voice and that sort of Midwest sensibility that is all throughout this film?

Lena Headey: I mean, I think Moira had a sort of outside-the-small-town sensibility. You know, we discussed it. She spent time in New York and had come back to the town, and knew everything that was going on. She’s a barkeeper, so she hears and sees it all.

Bob, your character is clearly in a rut. He’s afraid to make decisions, and then he is thrown into a situation where he really has to act. What did you like most about this character arc?

Bob Odenkirk: Well, I’ve spent a long time now playing characters who are younger than me, and I think sort of more naive about life than me. So, playing a guy like Ulysses, who’s almost too worn down, he’s almost too beat up. But I like playing somebody who had lived life and kind of gotten set back on his heels. It just felt like a guy who was my age and maturity level, so I appreciated that.

Lena, there’s this great scene between you and Bob near the jail cells later on. It’s really one of the key story beats. How was it having that showdown with Bob, and what stood out about him as a scene partner?

Lena Headey: Bob’s very shut down and kind of sticks to the words, and you’re not really allowed to play. So it was pretty frustrating to be fair.

Odenkirk: Yeah, you know me…

Headey: He’s a stickler. No, Bob’s really generous and allows me to play.

Odenkirk: Game recognizes game. The only showdown, as they say on the streets…

Headey: Midlife recognizes midlife.

Odenkirk: Did you ever see The Bear? The TV show, The Bear? You ever see the Christmas episode? You know what I’m talking about? Well, that’s me and Lena in that scene in the jail cell. It’s two actors. They got some meat on the bone, and they both tear at it. It’s great.

Thanks to Bob Odenkirk and Lena Headey for taking the time to talk about Normal.