Better Call Saul‘s Michael Mando fired from Apple series after on-set “clash”
Mando was let go from the Ridley Scott-produced Sinking Spring after an incident with an unrevealed co-star on the streaming series.
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Michael Mando, best known for his starring role on AMC’s Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul, has reportedly been fired from Apple TV+’s upcoming Ridley Scott drama series Sinking Spring. Per THR, Mando was let go from the series, which co-stars Brian Tyree Henry, after an “on-set incident” with one of the co-stars of the series. No one, as of yet, is reporting who the other participant in the “incident” was; in addition to Henry, the series also co-stars Ving Rhames, Kate Mulgrew, and Marin Ireland.
Mando will be replaced on the series by Wagner Moura, lately of Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, Shining Girls, and the extended Narcos universe of shows. Moura will take over the role of Manny Cespedes, a long-time friend of Henry’s character Ray, and who gets wrapped up in the chaotic aftermath of a plan to rob a house while masquerading as DEA agents. The series is based off of a book, Dope Thief, by Dennis Tafoya, and is being produced through Scott’s ongoing deal with Apple, with Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig serving as showrunner.
Details about the actual incident are being kept nil at the moment, outside of it being referred to by some sources as a “clash.” Producers supposedly tried to “smooth things out” in the aftermath, but the decision was ultimately made for Mando to leave the series.
Before joining Saul—where he starred for six seasons as perpetual cartel pawn Nacho Vargas—Mando co-starred (opposite Tatiana Maslany, Tatiana Maslany, and Tatiana Maslany) in Orphan Black, and had a small but memorable role in Spider-Man: Homecoming. (He’s also known to gaming nerds for his eye-catching role as psychotic killer Vaas in Far Cry 3.) Neither Mando, nor Apple, have so far commented publicly on his removal from the eight-episode series.
58 Comments
The name of his BCS character was “Nacho Varga.”
My sweet baby Nacho, WHAT DID YOU DO?
Does that mean he’s a nacho baby?
I always knew those Salamanca boys were bad influences.
so he’s Nacho Libre?
Wagner is not a bad replacement at all. Hell thats what I would say an upgrade.
MICHAEL MANDO WAS VAAS???!
Did someone try taking his beskar armor?
Help me get the joke? There’s another Mandalorian reference in the comments and for a second I thought I slipped into an alternate universe where Mando got the role instead…..aaaand I just got it. Don’t ask me why I’m posting this anyway.
His name is Mando. People call Din Djarin “Mando” all the time.
Yeah I did figure it out mid post. I might be wrong but I always prononouce this guys name Maando
Also something something Giancarlo Esposito. I got to that before getting to “his name is literally Mando”, which says something weird about my brain.
As long as he doesn’t try it again. Because do you know what the definition of madness is…?
I would have assumed a ‘Mando Cancelled’ title to score ten times the clicks. Unlike The AV Club to miss an opportunity.
I hope he still has all his fingers.
If not, Alison will take care of him.
That’s surprising. He’s got a solid reputation as a proper professional and a likable guy.I guess it can’t be helped sometimes.
Assuming that is the case, it’s entirely possible that this kerfluffle was because he got into an argument with one of the other (more famous, more important, more highly-paid) actors, who demanded Mando be fired.
Yeah, in any conflict short of “show-derailing public abuse,” I would bank on “who is more famous/integral to the show” over “who has the moral high ground” resolving the issue in 98% of cases.
I know a guy who got fired from a network sitcom show because his character made fun of the star. Not the actor, just his character, but the star thought the actor did too good a job making fun of him.
it’s entirely possible that this kerfluffle was because he got into an argument with one of the other (more famous, more important, more highly-paid) actors, who demanded Mando be fired. I so much hope this is what happened – I really love his work. Doesn’t mean he can’t be hard to work with or fire-able – I just don’t want him to be.
Kate Mulgrew has a reputation as a bully who doesn’t like younger, hotter people upstaging her.
I’m gonna give him the benefit of the doubt on this one. Unless/until more comes out about it.
Michael Mando’s portrayal of Nacho Varga is top-notch, and as strong a performance as any in the entire BB/BCS universe. He brought such depth to that character that I was reduced to a blubbering mass of emotion when Nacho finally met his destiny toward the end of “Better Call Saul”.Thank you, Michael. I hope this Apple situation is just a speedbump on the road to your continued success. You don’t need them anyway.Cheers!
He’s also known to gaming nerds for his eye-catching role as psychotic killer Vaas in Far Cry 3.Hah, those nerdy gaming nerds, they are so nerdy!
And so gamey. Not a lot of good eating on them, for sure.
“Pop culture obsessives writing for the pop culture obsessed,” huh
He’s also known to TV nerds for his eye-catching role as conflicted criminal Ignacio “Nacho” Varga in Better Call Saul.
Yeah, I was about to say: thanks for the gamer love there, Billy.
No!
Nah, Paper Boi clearly said he wanted a ‘Nando’s’ on set, and Earn messed up again.
oh you wake now Fernando?!
cheeky
Was he caught swapping out Tim Cook’s pills???
“You gotta admit, Deep Space 9 was way better than Voyager, Kate.”“Bitch you boutta die for that!”
Seriously thougg, don’t cross her.
“You’re on report.” *dead*
Did I ever tell you what the definition of insanity is?
No way this clash was Mando’s fault. He’s Canadian.
Well that sucks. Love this guy’s work and this was probably a great opportunity for him. Hope he at least got his licks in.
Mando co-starred (opposite Tatiana Maslany, Tatiana Maslany, and Tatiana Maslany) Seriously???
*whooooosh*
No, I think it’s a joke.
Yeah he was only in scenes with three out of twelve Tatiana Maslanys (Tatianas Maslany?)
This is Not the way.
i hope he got into a fist fight with ving
You come for Mulgrew, you better not miss!
I swear to God, if they make Wagner Moura do more accent work…
“I’d better call Saul!”
Before joining Saul—where he starred for six seasons as perpetual cartel pawn Nacho VargasIt’s just the one Varga, actually
Underappreciated comment
Mac Gungan (Scorpion) in the comics has a stint as Venom. It would be such a cool move if the MCU made Michael Mando their Venom in a Tom Holland Spider-Man 4. I want it so badly.
That would be way more fun than yet another Eddie Brock. And I definitely don’t want to see the current Flash Thompson be Venom, since his role has be largely comedic and it would be way too jarring.
I just want to see regular Scorpion in live-action. I have no idea why they haven’t gotten to it after teasing it in the first movie nearly six years ago.I liked NWH just fine but was honestly a bit disappointed they went with an all retro-villain cast.
A little late, but more like Michael Mandon’t.Raced home for this.
I really hope this isn’t something that was his fault and will affect his career, seems like he really got screwed on Scorpion so far and I was hoping they would right that wrongSo this is a totally unacceptable thing to say…but Wagner Moura…his name is Wagner, like Richard. He’s from Brazil. He is the exact right age for his parents to be “baby boomers” from one side or…uh…the other. His dad was in the military. …?(also don’t watch “Wasp Network”…it’s terrible and pro-Castro)
“Say ‘This is the way’ one more time. I dare you.”