Bryan Cranston 'gravitated' to 'Argo' script

TORONTO, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Bryan Cranston says there is a simple explanation for how he managed to star in the celebrated U.S. drama series "Breaking Bad," as well as a dozen films, between 2011 and 2012.

"That activity is because I don't play golf. This has been mentioned," the award-winning actor joked with reporters last fall at a Toronto International Film Festival press conference for his film "Argo," which is nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

Cranston said he is always on the lookout for a sharply written project such as the thriller directed by and co-starring Ben Affleck.

"It all starts with the written word and when actors read something that's this intense and descriptive and visceral, we gravitate to it," Cranston said of "Argo."

The movie is based on the true story of how the U.S. and Canadian governments worked together to rescue six American Embassy staffers -- who escaped capture during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, then secretly sought refuge in the Canadian ambassador's home in Tehran. The six returned home safely after the CIA, including agents played by Affleck and Cranston, devised the plan to have them pretend to be members of a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a science-fiction movie.

"Argo" co-stars John Goodman, Tate Donovan, Richard Kind, Victor Garber and Clea DuVall. It is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Screenwriter Chris Terrio's adaptation of the books "The Master of Disguise" by Antonio J. Mendez and "The Great Escape" by Joshuah Bearman is up for the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar, while cast member Alan Arkin is a competitor in the Best Supporting Actor race. The Oscars are to be presented in Los Angeles Sunday.

Cranston, 56, has also recently been seen in the films "Drive," "Total Recall," "Rock of Ages," "Red Tails," "John Carter," "Contagion" and "The Lincoln Lawyer." He starred in the sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle," as well.