RJ Mitte gushed about the potential for a “Breaking Bad” sequel just days before his shocking death on Monday.
Mitte, 34, who plays Walter White, Jr. on the Emmy-winning series, told Page Six exclusively that he believes series creator Vince Gilligan is cooking up something new for another take on the crystal meth-fueled drama.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that Vince has something in mind,” he said at the Los Angeles premiere of his new movie “Talking To Strangers” at the Beverly Hills Fine Arts Theater on Sept. 30.
“I’m not exactly sure [what it is]But he added: “At the end of the day, having the chance to work with Vince and his team will be a dream come true.”
Mitte also revealed that he pitched Gilligan some “very interesting” ideas for a “darker” reboot in which his character would seek revenge after the 2013 finale in which his drug lord scientist father, played by Bryan Cranston, died.
The 34-year-old actor hinted that he thinks there’s still room for Cranston to return as the infamous criminal father nicknamed “Heisenberg” and torment his broken son like a ghost.
“I really want to make sure that if we do this right, if we do it to the best of our ability, it won’t just be another sequel or a reboot of something we’ve seen, but it will be its own unique story with elements of ‘Breaking Bad,'” the actor said. he said.
Gilligan, who currently directs the Emmy-winning series “Pluribus,” insisted on “Breaking Bad,” which first aired in 2008, that he would never close the door. Mitte also said that he was of this opinion.
“There’s a lot of hype around ‘Breaking Bad.’ Breaking Bad is bigger today than it’s ever been. People say ‘it was big then.’ No it wasn’t. We were a little show about meth,” he joked.
“And now we’re a really crazy, unique show. [a hit] To generations and future generations.”
The star, who suffers from cerebral palsy, also mentioned that appearing with his condition in “Breaking Bad” paved the way for more acceptance of actors with disabilities.
He said he was “humbled and honored” to make “Talking to Strangers,” which depicts, with a unique twist, a lonely man with cerebral palsy and the vibrant force of nature that forms an unlikely friendship over lunch.
“When you can show honesty and truth in film that represents anything that is interesting and unique and an untold story, that is a miracle in itself because these movies don’t get the recognition they deserve, and that’s a risk,” he said.
“This movie is so unique in terms of its themes because it deals with some pretty heavy content, and not something that’s traditionally talked about, shown, or even really talked about — and not just in film and television, but in our world in general. And so any time we can show these sides of characters that people feel but no one wants to talk about is special.”
Mitte was a staunch advocate for greater representation of actors with disabilities in Hollywood.
“I believe we are making progress. I believe we now have streets and roads carved in stone that we didn’t have before,” he said. “I believe the roads are opening up. And now we’re seeing more accessibility.”
Following news of Mitte’s death, which was attributed to suicide, a representative told Page Six on Monday: “Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and created a platform for disability awareness and inclusion.
“Beyond entertaining friends and family around the world, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s. He also served as president of the Mitte Foundation, supported charitable efforts and community initiatives, and used his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation of people with disabilities.”