Walt Jr's Explosive Spinoff: Creator Reacts with Shocking Candor

Summary

Vince Gilligan expresses interest in working with RJ Mitte again but doesn't want to see Walt Jr. follow in his father's criminal footsteps as an Albuquerque crime lord.

Walt Jr., despite being instrumental in Walter's decision to pursue a criminal path, is frequently marginalized in the series, leaving him to feel like a minor character.

Rather than pressuring Walt Jr. to exceed his role, the writers missed the opportunity to delve deeper into his character and delve into the modified dynamics of his relationship with his father.

Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan responds to the suggestion of a spinoff featuring Walt Jr., portrayed by RJ Mitte. Throughout Breaking Bad, Walt Jr. plays the role of Walter and Skyler White's son. Walt Jr. plays a significant part in Walter's decision to turn to a life of crime, as he needs money to secure a better future for his son, who has cerebral palsy. Despite his importance to the story, the series never truly explored Walt Jr.'s character.

In a recent Variety interview with Gilligan, where he discusses the past and potential future of Breaking Bad, the creator is asked about the possibility of a spinoff centered around Walter White's son. Mitte himself has jokingly mentioned that Walt Jr. could become a drug kingpin. In the following quote, Gilligan expresses interest in working with Mitte again, but he highly doubts the likelihood of a Walt Jr. sequel.

Ever wonder what happens to the characters once the series ends? I often find myself daydreaming about the fate of these intriguing characters, particularly Anna Gunn and RJ Mitte who portrayed their roles so brilliantly. While the conclusion of "Breaking Bad" may not have been a happy one for them, it hints at their lives continuing. Personally, I hope for a brighter future for them. The thought of Walt Jr. following in his father's criminal footsteps is troubling. Perhaps in the future, someone may pitch the idea of Walt Jr. becoming an Albuquerque crime lord, surpassing his father's failures. However, I can confidently say that I have no desire to witness such a storyline unfold. It would be a somber tribute to the show. Speculating about the characters' futures is entertaining, but it doesn't reach the level of "I want to continue the story." Nevertheless, who knows what the future holds. Perhaps in a few years, that perspective might change.

Is there any chance of a "Heisenberg Jr." spinoff?

It's highly unlikely. The only appealing aspect of that concept would be collaborating with RJ Mitte again, as he is a talented and kind individual. However, such a spinoff would be incredibly disheartening. It would convey the wrong message from the series, assuming there are any lessons to be derived from it.

Okay, But Walt Jr. Still Deserved Better

Walt Jr.'s sidelining in Breaking Bad is intentional, as Jesse takes on a surrogate son role for Walter at times. In a particular scene, Walter even mistakenly calls Walt Jr. by Jesse's name. However, this decision not only adds complexity to the Walt and Jesse relationship but also makes Walt Jr. often feel like a secondary character, despite being a regular cast member.

The lack of a meeting between Walt and Jesse in Breaking Bad is a missed opportunity for an intriguing dynamic. Additionally, exploring the deeply changed father-son relationship would have been worthwhile. Though Breaking Bad does allow Walt Jr. a few moments of anger towards Walter, it feels more like an attempt to resolve a loose end rather than fully integrating Walt into the story.

The series concluded in an impressive manner, presenting an exceptional final season. The objective should not have been to push Walt Jr. to surpass his capabilities, or worse, to force a spinoff at present. However, the writers could have put in more effort to develop Walt Jr.'s character. At one point, his limited screen time in Breaking Bad became a commonly shared meme among viewers. This is especially disappointing considering Mitte's filmography showcases his talent for seamlessly transitioning between various narratives.