Bryan Cranston prepares for fifth emmy in LBJ

Bryan Cranston, the actor best known for his work as Walter White on the hit AMC show Breaking Bad, is gearing up to take President Lyndon B. Johnson to the small screen. The four-time emmy winner has been playing Johnson in the Broadway play All the Way since Breaking Bad wrapped in 2013.

Now HBO is adapting a movie version of the play, and the first image of Cranston as President Johnson is in this month’s issue of People Magazine. The use of makeup and apparent prosthetics makes Cranston virtually unrecognizable in the role. You can see him in his full presidential glory here.

Lyndon B. Johnson, former President of the United States

In an interview with People, Director Jay Roach (best known for Meet the Parents and the first two Austin Powers movies) commented on the transformation saying, “Physically and emotionally Bryan completely channels LBJ. We just filmed him and Lady Bird in the Oval Office, after JFK’s assassination. LBJ has arrived as the ‘accidental President.’ He’s almost overwhelmed. In spiritual support, Lady Bird touches his cheek. We melted, like we went back in time and witnessed a private, heart-wrenching moment between these two great people.”

The play follows Johnson once he takes office directly after the J.F.K. assassination. The events follow his presidency up to the point when he’s officially elected into office after 11 months.

Cranston already has four primetime emmys for his work on Breaking Bad, and reviews of his performance on Broadway have been raving. Award shows love physical transformations, so he could very well be on his way to his fifth. Unfortunately, history buffs and Cranston fans still have some time to wait before the TV movie airs. It’s scheduled to release in 2016.

What do you think of Cranston as President Johnson? Sound off in the comments and let us know.