Bob Odenkirk Reveals Why His Film ‘Normal’ Shares Theater’s Name
Bob Odenkirk brought a preview screening of his new film Normal to the Normal Theater on Thursday. The event sold out. He introduced the movie and joined a post-screening Q&A.
Screening and guests
Derek Kolstad, the film’s screenwriter, joined Odenkirk on stage. The two answered audience questions after the screening. Filmogaz.com attended the event and spoke to several viewers.
Story and setting
In Normal, Odenkirk plays an interim sheriff in a fictional Normal, Minnesota. A failed bank robbery exposes a dark town secret. The movie’s version of Normal lists a population just over 1,000. Filming took place in Canada. The film’s town is smaller than Normal, Illinois.
Odenkirk explained why the movie title changed from The Interim to Normal. He noted that a town called Normal creates audience suspicion. He also joked that the production borrowed the theater’s name for the premiere. In short, the film’s name intentionally plays with expectation.
Odenkirk’s genre shift
Odenkirk began his career as a writer at Saturday Night Live. He later co-created the sketch series Mr. Show. Those early credits helped lead to his casting as Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. He earned multiple Emmy nominations for that role.
In 2021, Odenkirk moved into action with Nobody. He described his approach as playing a vulnerable, human fighter. He wanted a protagonist who shows wear and pain, not an invincible hero. Normal contains more lighter moments than the Nobody films.
Derek Kolstad and John Wick
Kolstad wrote Normal and the two Nobody films. He is also the writer behind the John Wick trilogy. Kolstad said he named John Wick after his grandfather, who died last year at age 98. He added that several relatives share the same name, which complicated legal clearance for the title.
Kolstad appeared onstage with Odenkirk at the Normal Theater. Their collaboration links several recent action projects with different tonal mixes.
Release information
Normal opens in theaters nationwide on April 17. Tickets will be available through standard box office and online sellers.
