Breaking Bad's Promising Future Unveiled by Creator Amidst Ongoing Better Call Saul Spinoff Debate

Summary

Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan weighs in on whether he will ever revisit the world of the franchise, revealing that he's proud of the show and its spinoffs.

While Gilligan never completely dismisses the idea, he suggests caution when considering further projects related to Breaking Bad.

Given the achievements of spinoffs such as El Camino and Better Call Saul, it is tempting to explore another expansion. However, it may be wise to preserve the integrity of the Breaking Bad franchise by letting it stand on its own.

Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan discussed the future of the franchise following the finale of Better Call Saul last year. The show first aired in 2008 on AMC and quickly gained immense popularity and critical acclaim. Since the series concluded in 2013, there have been two significant spinoff projects, including the movie El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which wrapped up Jesse's story, and the prequel show Better Call Saul, which focuses on Saul Goodman.

Currently, the future of the Breaking Bad universe is uncertain, and Gilligan shared his thoughts with Variety about whether he intends to revisit the world of the show in any capacity. While he does not completely rule out the possibility, it appears that he is more intrigued by exploring different creative endeavors outside of his beloved franchise. Read Gilligan's complete statement below.

If I fail miserably in the upcoming show, and the one following it, and if nobody wants to watch it and everyone prefers "Breaking Bad," then perhaps I'll consider moving forward with something else in the future. However, my preference would be to let it be. "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" are the most significant accomplishments of my career and will forever be remembered on my tombstone. I am extremely proud of them.

Sometimes, I do wonder if there are more stories to tell, but I don't want to overdo it. I observe other storytelling universes, without mentioning any specific names, where it feels like they are milking the franchise for every penny. I would hate for that to happen with this series. I would rather leave the party too soon than stay too long. However, it's important to keep an open mind because who knows what the future holds.

Should Another Breaking Bad Spinoff Happen?

Breaking Bad is widely considered one of the best TV shows ever, praised for its thrilling and complex storyline delivered by creator Gilligan and his team. The show's five highly popular seasons, including the widely acclaimed finale, are seen as a perfect conclusion.

Given the monumental success of Breaking Bad, there was initial skepticism about the idea of a spinoff. The concern was that any attempt to expand or continue the story might jeopardize the excellence achieved by Breaking Bad. However, the release of El Camino in 2019 proved to be a worthwhile expansion and continuation of the narrative. Similarly, Better Call Saul not only matched Breaking Bad's quality but also served as a satisfying conclusion to the larger Walter White saga.

Despite the success of both spinoffs, there is a risk that excessively utilizing the same concept will detract from the unique qualities that make Breaking Bad exceptional. The prevailing trend in the entertainment industry, with numerous spinoffs, sequels, and reboots, serves as evidence that an excess of a good thing can be detrimental, and maintaining high standards over an extended period is exceedingly difficult. Although it remains uncertain whether Breaking Bad will ever grace television screens again, it is reassuring to know that Gilligan is not inclined to exploit the franchise excessively.