10 Mind-Blowing Breaking Bad Spinoff Concepts That Surpass Better Call Saul

Summary

Better Call Saul's success suggests that other Breaking Bad spinoffs could work, but replicating what made these two series great is not easy.

A Mike Ehrmantraut prequel and a Gus Fring prequel could potentially diminish the unique qualities of these characters and would not reach the level of excellence achieved by Better Call Saul.

A spinoff focusing on Jesse Pinkman following El Camino, or any storyline involving Walter's family after Breaking Bad, would jeopardize their character development and undermine the significance of Breaking Bad's conclusion.

Better Call Saul, one of the best spinoff shows ever made, outshines many other potential Breaking Bad spinoffs. Unlike a typical prequel, Better Call Saul delves into the life of Bob Odenkirk's character, both during and after the events of Breaking Bad. Its success indicates that other spinoffs based on Breaking Bad could also work, but replicating the qualities that made these two series exceptional would be challenging. In reality, most popular ideas for Breaking Bad prequels or sequels would not have been successful.

Breaking Bad's unforgettable ending, which is regarded as one of the greatest TV finales of all time, solidified its status as a television classic. With numerous compelling characters and storylines, Breaking Bad has the potential for a "Breaking Bad universe." However, the accomplishment of Better Call Saul, as both a spinoff and a remarkable standalone series, should not be underestimated. Here, we present eight Breaking Bad spinoff ideas that would not have come close to the excellence of Better Call Saul.

8 A Mike Ehrmantraut Prequel

Mike Ehrmantraut, a captivating character in the Breaking Bad universe, gained popularity after being introduced as a replacement for Saul Goodman. He continued to be a beloved figure throughout Breaking Bad and made a return in Better Call Saul, where his backstory was further explored. However, delving into a prequel solely focused on Mike Ehrmantraut's past would not be as engaging. A significant aspect of his appeal lies in the mysteries and hardships he has endured, which do not require complete disclosure.

If a Mike Ehrmantraut prequel had been created immediately after Breaking Bad, it is likely that some of the most exceptional episodes of Better Call Saul would have never materialized. Moreover, the release of Better Call Saul has already shed sufficient light on the character's past, rendering a Breaking Bad prequel for Mike even more unnecessary. The intricacies of the Breaking Bad timeline have successfully avoided the need to recast renowned characters thus far, and a prequel centered on Mike would disrupt this tradition. Jonathan Banks' portrayal of Mike is an integral part of his appeal, making it challenging to envision how a prequel depicting a younger version of the character could capture the same magical essence.

7 Jesse Pinkman After El Camino

Jesse’s Breaking Bad conclusion was both cathartic and, all things considered, a satisfactory one. While “Felina” marked the conclusion of Walter White's journey, the series finale of Breaking Bad opened up a new chapter for Jesse, whose fate was always destined to deviate from Walt's. Even so, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie served as a captivating epilogue to Jesse’s odyssey, revealing his successful escape from the authorities and his fresh start in Alaska. The combined narratives of “Felina” and El Camino form the ideal conclusion for Jesse Pinkman. Any future Jesse Pinkman spinoff that takes place after El Camino would run the risk of tainting his ultimate fate and the overall impact of Breaking Bad.

6 A Walter White Copycat Takes Heisenberg's Place

Breaking Bad was more than just a crime drama revolving around cartel disputes and Heisenberg's actions. Its true essence lied in the transformation of Walter White's character and the extent to which he could change before losing audience support. A sequel to Breaking Bad that focused on other cartel wars or introduced a new drug lord to replace Heisenberg would only scratch the surface of the original show. To create a "Breaking Bad universe," captivating characters and unique narratives need to be developed, rather than simply rehashing the crime drama that shaped Walt's story.

5 Huell & Kuby On The Run

A more comedic Breaking Bad spinoff was on the horizon, as evidenced by the original Better Call Saul sitcom pitch by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. Despite the show's serious storylines and traumatic events, there were some uproarious characters in Breaking Bad. The hilarious antics of Lavell Crawford's Huell and Bill Burr's Kuby, both henchmen of Saul Goodman, provided some of the most comical moments in the entire series. While it was enjoyable to see Huell make a return in Better Call Saul, it would have been equally entertaining to have Kuby in the show as well. However, a spinoff solely dedicated to Huell and Kuby would have been excessive. A complete comedy version of Breaking Bad simply would not be feasible.

4 A Breaking Bad Sequel Following Walt. Jr. & Skyler

Both El Camino and Better Call Saul season 6 included scenes that took place after Breaking Bad’s finale; however, neither of these shows revisited the characters Walter Jr. and Skyler. This decision was deliberate in order to maintain the impact of Breaking Bad's ending. The true tragedy of Breaking Bad lies in how Walter's actions affected his family, which is why the show's bittersweet ending resonates so strongly. Although Walter Jr. and Skyler are alive and safe at the conclusion of Breaking Bad, the long-term impact of the traumatic events on their lives remains unanswered. This unanswered question is essential to preserving the series' impact.

3 Better Call Saul’s Original Sitcom Pitch

Better Call Saul’s original sitcom format could have worked, but it would have resulted in an entirely different and significantly less captivating show compared to what viewers experienced in 2015. Prior to becoming a dramatic series emulating the style of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul was initially proposed as a half-hour, single-camera comedy. In this version, each episode would have followed Saul Goodman as he tackled peculiar and outlandish cases, undoubtedly leading to uproarious moments. However, the six-season run of Better Call Saul demonstrates that Bob Odenkirk’s character possessed enough intrigue to helm his own dramatic series, which is now widely regarded as being on par with, if not surpassing, Breaking Bad.

2 The Salamanca Cousins’ Backstory

The Salamanca cousins made their debut in Breaking Bad as ruthless assassins who seemed out of place in the show's overall tone. Breaking Bad was never known for its action sequences, which is precisely what made the inclusion of the Salamanca cousins so intriguing. They were always portrayed as a last resort, a role they reprised on a few occasions in Better Call Saul. Both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul depicted the Salamanca cousins in a slightly exaggerated manner, adding to the overall charm of the shows. However, attempting to recreate this dynamic in a spinoff solely focused on the Salamanca assassins would prove to be impossible and would remove the enigmatic aura that surrounds them.

1 A Gus Fring Prequel

While a Gus Fring prequel may initially seem exciting, it would encounter similar challenges as a Mike Ehrmantraut prequel. Firstly, it's difficult to envision any other actor embodying Gus after Giancarlo Esposito's exceptional performances in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Additionally, Gus's iconic status as an antagonist could be compromised if he were to become the protagonist of his own story, potentially diluting what made him so compelling. Furthermore, a prequel would not cover the pivotal element of Gus Fring's narrative: his relentless pursuit of revenge against the Salamancas.

Better Call Saul has clearly demonstrated that Gus's motivations extend beyond mere wealth, power, or status. Every action he takes, from the moment Max was murdered to Breaking Bad season 4, is driven by his thirst for vengeance. A prequel set prior to Max's death would essentially portray a different character entirely, as the Gus Fring audiences know was conceived after Hector Salamanca shot Max. Better Call Saul has effectively delved into Gus's past while staying true to his ultimate objective, rendering a Gus Fring prequel even more unnecessary.