Is Jon Bernthal's character from The Bear connected to his appearance in The Amateur? Director clarifies

Jon Bernthal's recurring guest character, Mikey Berzatto, in FX's The Bear, has earned him widespread critical acclaim. Additionally, he has won the Primetime Emmy Award in 2024 for his portrayal of the drug addict brother of Carmen Berzatto in the psychological comedy-drama television show. Mikey, the eldest of the Berzatto children, died by shooting himself in The Bear Season 3 Episode 1. Mikey Berzatto's death not only affected the characters of The Bear but also broke the hearts of the fans, too.

Interestingly, fans have pointed out a strong resemblance in his role in the Rami Malek-starring action spy movie The Amateur, which was released in theatres on April 11, 2025.

Why? Jon Bernthal plays the role of a secret agent called Jackson O'Brien. Yet what drew the viewers' attention was Jon's secret code name, The Bear, for the 2025 spy thriller movie. Therefore, the audience connected his character in The Bear with that of The Amateur.

The Amateur director James Hawes has, however, clarified in an interview with EW about Jon Bernthal's role in The Amateur as the Bear. He told Jon's character in FX's The Bear had no connection to his 2025 thriller film, even though he carries the same name as the title of the TV series. He clarified that the character was called The Bear long before Jon Bernthal was cast in it.

Read on to know more about the director's clarification.

The Amateur director clarifies Jon Bernthal's role in the film different from The Bear

While speaking to Entertainment Weekly, James Hawes insisted that Jon's character of the secret agent Jackson O'Brien to be called The Bear as a code name was coincidental. Additionally, his role was also limited in the film as he appeared in two scenes with Rami Malek's character Charlie Heller (a newbie CIA decoder). In The Amateur, Charlie looks up to Jackson O'Brien/The Bear after he becomes a CIA Decoder in Langley.

The Amateur film's helmer Hawes told EW about Jon Bernthal's character as The Bear,

"And whether or not that was something that sign-posted the part as a role he (Jon Bernthal) had to play, you'll have to ask him. I should ask him"

Hawes appreciated Jon Bernthal for his brilliant portrayal of The Bear in the film. He said,

"I really love the way that he comes in as the rugged, macho, world beating secret agent. "

Rami Malek, who plays the role of Charlie Heller ( a nerd CIA decoder who turns a spy to avenge his wife's unfortunate death) in The Amateur, opened about working with Jon Bernthal in The Amateur. He told The Hollywood Reporter,

"What an amazing talent, and what lies ahead in this man's career is going to be profound. And sure enough. I can't believe that some people are still discovering his prowess; It is formidable to say the least."

When Malek was asked about his character Charlie, he looked up to the senior agent, The Bear, played by Jon Bernthal, He told,

"Perhaps there is an evolution of Charlie one day where he becomes more professional like Jon Bernthal's character The Bear, in our film. So it's not something I have ever resolved not to play."

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Produced by 20th Century Studios and based on the 1981 novel by Gary Spinelli and Ken Nolan, The Amateur has an average rating of 6.2/10 on IMDb and received mixed reviews from the critics. On the other hand, The Bear Season 4 is all set to be released in June 2025.

Also read: The Bear Season 3: A complete guide to all the cast and characters in the comedy-drama

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