The beloved Bryan Cranston is in talks to star opposite Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Michael Pena, and Anthony Mackie in the period crime drama Gangster Sqad.  Will Beall (Castle) adapted the script from the LA Times' seven-part series "Tales from the Gangster Squad," the original title of the movie.  The articles chronicle the LAPD's formation of the Gangster Squad in the 1940s to combat organized crime in Los Angeles.  Variety pins Cranston to the role of Max Kennard, "a laconic LAPD officer from Texas who enforces the law ambitiously."  (Variety also refers to the movie as "The Gangster Squad," so be prepared for a slight title adjustment if future coverage follows suit.)  Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) will direct the Warner Bros/Village Roadshow production.Cranston is doing a splendid job parlaying is multiple Breaking Bad Emmy wins into fancy movie roles.  Larry Crowne opens this Friday, followed by Contagion (September 9) and Drive (September 16) in the fall.  2012 holds Rock of Ages, John Carter, Total Recall, and likely Red Tails.  Additionally, Cranston recently entered negotiations to star in Argo.  Time continues to pass way too slowly until season four of Breaking Bad premieres on July 17.  Cranston forever!