Since making its theatrical premiere on March 26, 2021, Ilya Naishuller's action-revenge film Nobody has remained among the top 10 films at the domestic box office. The film has drawn praise for Bob Odenkirk's unlikely but convincing performance as Hutch Mansell, a suburban dad suffering the worst day of his life before going on a violent rampage.
Movies are always extremely difficult to make, but, in the age of COVID-19, the task has been made even more of a challenge. As a result, a lot of time, effort, and preparation went into making Nobody one of the best action films of the year.
10 Conception
While Derek Kolstad is crediting with writing the screenplay, the conceptual premise of Nobody was conjured by star Bob Odenkirk. According to Vulture, Odenkirk imagined a wish-fulfillment fantasy revenge scenario after being victimized by home burglary twice in his life. In one instance, Odenkirk locked his assailants in the basement until the police arrived.
"I think most people watching this movie will not realize the level of autobiography there is in it,' Odenkirk says. "I had two home break-ins in Los Angeles. One was particularly traumatic. I grabbed a baseball bat. In the movie, I grab a golf club. I think I did the right thing. Nobody is very related to my actual experience of having someone in the house, threatening my family, trying to keep the damage to a minimum."
9 Bob Odenkirk's Training
In trying to secure funding for the film while also navigating the global pandemic, Odenkirk spent two and half years rigorously training for his fight sequences in the film.
Per Vulture, Odenkirk spent at least one and a half years training at 87Eleven, an action-shooting and fighting facility in Los Angeles where such stars as Keanu Reeves, Jason Statham, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Sean Penn, and others have trained in the past. In addition to hand-to-hand combat training, Odenkirk attended Taran Tactical to learn how to use firearms.
8 Fighting Inspiration
While preparing for the role, Odenkirk scoured the internet for fighters to pattern his style after or to find inspiration of some kind. According to GQ, there was one particular legendary fighter that Odenkirk studied the most.
"I watch a lot of Bruce Lee stuff on YouTube," Odenkirk admits. "I asked if I could do the One Inch Punch in Nobody and I was told 'No, you will not be good enough to do that,' and they were right. I don't think I will ever be, but I will continue to try."
7 Comedic Approach
Although many have come to know Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, his background comes from sketch comedy. When asked if approaching an action film is any different than approaching comedy, Odenkirk got candid.
According to Slashfilm.com, Odenkirk found the fight sequences similar to sketch comedy. "In fact, the fight sequences, the closest thing I can bring them to were comedy sketches. They have a limited run, they have a little story, they have a beginning, middle, and end. There's a cleverness when you do it right."
6 Filming Locations
Part of the thrill of Nobody is the unidentified city it takes place in, suggesting that such violence could happen in any big city on the planet. However, two distinct cities were used for the filming of the movie.
According to Production List, the first half of the 34-day film shoot took place in Los Angeles where several establishing shots of the city were filmed. However, per Winnipegctv.news.ca, the majority of the action was filmed in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. The iconic bus rumble, for instance, was filmed at 171 Princess Street in Winnipeg.
5 Covid-19 Delays
Despite being filmed from September to October of 2019, the film was not released theatrically until March 26, 2021. Due to the global COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown, Nobody suffered four release date changes before finally hitting theaters.
Nobody was originally slated to open on August 14, 2020. When the pandemic hit, the film was pushed back to February 26, 2021 (per THR). The film then moved up one week for a February 19, 2021 release before being delayed to its ultimate release date of March 26, 2021.
4 Rising Stuntman
Bob Odenkirk has been earning rave reviews for his physical performance, for which he spent years training and getting into peak shape. However, Odenkirk could not do all of the required stunt work himself.
As such, Odenkirk's stunt double was played by fast-rising stuntman Tyler Witte. Since making his cinematic debut as a stunt driver on Baby Driver in 2017, Witte has already worked on Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Godzilla Kings of the Monsters, Zombieland: Double Tap, and more.
3 Family Connection
One of the most entertaining aspects of Nobody is Hutch's family dynamic, including the droll relationship he has with his father, David Mansell (Christopher Lloyd). Believe it or not, these two actors share more than phony DNA.
In fact, both Christopher Lloyd and Bob Odenkirk share the same birthday, October 22nd. Lloyd is 24 years older than Odenkirk, making him a plausible father figure in the film.
2 John Wick Connection
Although it boasts a similar tone, style, and pace, fans may not realize the lengthy connection Nobody has with the John Wick franchise. For starters, screenwriter Derek Kolstad penned all three John Wick films to date.
Moreover, Hutch is seen discarding an ammo magazine from his rifle in the exact same manner John Wick does in John Wick: Chapter 2. An additional linkage includes The Quest song "The Impossible Dream" which plays in both this film as well as the trailer for John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum.
1 Possible Crossover Sequel
In fact, so simpatico are the teams behind Nobody and John Wick that both Ilya Naishuller and Derek Kolstad have expressed interest in making a crossover sequel between the two action franchises. According to comicbook.com, the potential Lionsgate/Universal joint production would be done in a nuanced way more akin to a hidden Easter Egg than an outright crossover.
According to Indiewire, Naishuller also expressed the possibility of a Nobody/John Wick mashup, noting how the same studio produced both films.
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