Bryan Cranston Defends Playing Paraplegic Man in 'The Upside'

Bryan Cranston is speaking out to defend his role in the new movie The Upside, in which he plays a paraplegic billionaire.

The 62-year-old actor addressed people who questioned why the role didn’t go to a disabled actor instead of Cranston, who is able-bodied.

“The real business dynamic of that is the choice of the studios to try to see if they can make an investment into a film that could bring a return, so that wasn’t part of my decision making,” Bryan told Yahoo UK. “But I think it points out the lack of diversity in disabled actors and the lack of opportunity in order to be even considered to play the lead role in a film like this.”

“Are there any actors who have reached any kind of star status to be able to be considered? I think by not coming up with an answer to that is the answer to that. There is a dearth of opportunity for actors with a disability,” he added.

Bryan also addressed the issue in an interview with the British Press Association.

“As actors we’re asked to play other people,” he said. “If I, as a straight, older person, and I’m wealthy, I’m very fortunate, does that mean I can’t play a person who is not wealthy? Does that mean I can’t play a homosexual?”

“We live in the world of criticism; if we’re willing to get up and try something, we have to also be willing to take criticism. We’re very aware of the need to expand the opportunities for people with disabilities,” he also said, according to Sky News. “I don’t know, where does the restriction apply, where is the line for that?”