AceShowbiz - In early 2023, Hunter Doohan received an unexpected message from Bryan Cranston, sparking a key opportunity in his acting career. Known for his role on Netflix's Wednesday, Doohan had previously portrayed Cranston’s son on the Apple TV+ series Your Honor. This previous collaboration prompted Cranston to ask if he could share Doohan’s contact information with his Breaking Bad co-star Aaron Paul.

For Doohan, a devoted Breaking Bad fan, the answer was an enthusiastic yes. Though Doohan and Paul had never met in person, they shared a professional link beyond Cranston: Doohan had played a younger version of Paul’s character in the Apple TV+ series Truth Be Told.

Paul was in the process of producing a low-budget indie film titled The Wilderness, and he wanted to reach out to Doohan about the lead role. The story is set at a wilderness retreat in Utah for teenage boys struggling with addiction. The retreat is overseen by a mysterious program director named James, played by Sam Jaeger, whose intentions may be questionable. The film draws partially from writer-director Spencer King’s own experiences, who had asked Paul to facilitate the introduction.

King and Doohan quickly connected, with the actor signing on not only to star but also to serve as a producer. Months later, the cast and crew found themselves filming in a remote area of Utah. The production had a relaxed summer camp atmosphere, with everyone staying in cabins during the shoot.

Doohan recalls their first day on set being abruptly halted by an intense monsoon. The shoot spanned 20 days in Utah and an additional five days in California. Despite the severe weather, the cast and crew adapted and even enjoyed the muddy conditions. King remembers expecting the crew to quit but instead watching them ride dune buggies through the mud and sing songs together.

However, the challenges did not end with filming. Once King completed his initial cut of The Wilderness, securing distribution and festival screenings proved difficult. Although the film was shot in Utah and featured a strong cast, King had hoped it would be accepted at Sundance, a festival long associated with the state. Unfortunately, the film was rejected at all festivals where it was submitted.

Doohan expressed frustration at one festival’s rejection, where the programmers reportedly declined the film without even watching the screener. “They didn’t even have one of their interns watch it, at least, or even put it on and then go get coffee,” he said, highlighting the discouragement filmmakers often face.

Despite these setbacks, The Wilderness eventually found a home two years after production wrapped. It was picked up by Dark Star Pictures and received a limited theatrical release. The film garnered positive reviews during this run before moving on to Premium Video on Demand (PVOD).

King described the theatrical release as having the feel of a festival tour, complete with Q&A sessions in various cities. Though the process was rewarding, he acknowledged how difficult the current distribution landscape can be. He emphasized that while they might not have been entitled to special treatment, the level of difficulty they encountered was surprising.

Following The Wilderness, King has directed his next feature, Nickels, which stars Rob Riggle, Odessa A'zion, and Aaron Holliday, who also appeared in The Wilderness.

Meanwhile, Doohan continues to build momentum following his breakout role as Tyler Galpin in the first season of Wednesday, where he starred opposite Jenna Ortega. His next project includes a lead role in the Sam Raimi-produced film Evil Dead Burn, which is scheduled to open on July 24.

King noted that traveling with The Wilderness across the country revealed the extent of Doohan’s rising popularity, especially thanks to his work on Wednesday. He described fans lining up to take photos with the actor after screenings.

Reflecting on how a simple text from Cranston led him to his role in The Wilderness, Doohan laughed and said it felt like winning a “Breaking Bad sweepstakes.” This connection not only opened doors but also helped solidify his standing as an emerging talent in independent film.