Variety reports that Bryan Cranston (of Breaking Bad fame) will reprise his lead role in HBO’s adaptation of the stage play All the Way. Written by Robert Schenkkan, All the Way tells the story of Lyndon B. Johnson’s first year as President. It chronicles the time from the assassination of President Kennedy to Johnson’s reelection.
Though Jack Willis originated the role of LBJ in Oregon, Cranston took over the role for the play’s Broadway run. He and the play would go on to win numerous awards, including the Tony, The Drama League Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Drama Desk Award.
The HBO adaptation will be produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Productions. Schenkkan will adapt his play, which is the first of two plays about Johnson’s presidency. The second, titled The Great Society, is currently running at The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, once again starring Jack Willis.
