Vince Gilligan's New Sony Deal May Herald Another Great Decade Of TV

"Nothing stops this train."
entertainment · 5 min
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There aren't quite as many consistently effective creators in the television industry as Virginia native Vince Gilligan. Acting as a regular writer and producer on Fox's science-fiction hit The X-Files, Vince has remained a staple yet mysterious figure in the television game for close to four decades. After completely his extended stint on The X-Files, Vince brought a new creative world of his own to the experimental AMC network.

Gilligan's critically acclaimed series Breaking Bad starring Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in The Middle, Saving Private Ryan) and Aaron Paul (The Path, Bojack Horseman) began its five-season run in 2008 and ended in late 2013 as one of the greatest bits of syndicated television to hit the airwaves.

AMC's Emmy Award-winning drama depicts a cancer-stricken High School chemistry teacher partnering with a former student to manufacture a product that will financially secure his family... crystal meth.

Initially, a sleeper hit, Breaking Bad has become a global cultural milestone that rivals past TV crime dramas The Sopranos and The Wire. Yet perhaps the defining asset to the Breaking Bad phenomenon hasn't had much traction beyond the terrain of New Mexico. 

Nearly ten years after the downfall of Heisenberg / Walter White, the notorious crime lord's creator Vince Gilligan is ever vigilant and hard at work on the Breaking Bad universe of characters and locations.

February 2015 saw the highly anticipated premiere of the Breaking Bad prequel series Better Call Saul, which positions the former showrunner Vince in an executive producer (as well as co-showrunner) capacity.

Centering on Breaking Bad's fan-favorite criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill a.k.a. Saul Goodman (played by Saturday Night Live alumn Bob Odenkirk), the eccentric legal drama takes viewers through Goodman's early hijinks and adventures in a slightly less unscrupulous Albuquerque New Mexico before Heisenberg's dominance.

Within its patterned six-year run, Better Call Saul has earned a staggering number of Emmy Award nominations along with acclaim from fans and critics. The highly praised series is coming to an end within the next year but that does not mean Gilligan has plans on leaving the world of high octane television behind anytime soon. 

While production for the final season of Better Call Saul is well underway, Gilligan has secured a lucrative deal for himself to oversee a host of television properties into the next four years. This deal is an extension of Gilligan's pre-existing contract with partner Sony TV, who serves as the parent company of both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

With Sony TV as the overseers, it's inevitable that any and all of Vince's future television plans will align strictly with that of Sony TV. Both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul have achieved great success under the Sony Pictures Television banner, which has instilled enough faith in continuing the working relationship between both parties for the foreseeable future.

Included in the new contract extension is the remainder of Saul Goodman's journey into iniquity and an unrevealed property that may or may not find itself an adjunct of the Breaking Bad world.

As for what fans can expect of Gilligan's future television endeavors, that's a bit more difficult to define. Prior to his Breaking Bad fame, Gilligan's experience working as a regular writer and producer on The X-Files allowed him opportunities to dabble in writing Hollywood feature films such as Wilder Naplam (1993), Home Fries (1998), and Hancock (2008).

Gilligan's underrated screenplay Wilder Naplam stars a pair of pyrokinetic brothers in conflict over a shared love. Home Fries brings a pregnant woman into a forbidden romance with a tinge of family dysfunction. Last but not least, Hancock is the misadventures of an alcoholic superhero teaming up with a public relations agent in order to improve as a hero and human being.

Each of these films, written by Vince Gilligan, takes several concepts that may seem familiar to audiences in a standard sense and turn them on their heads in order to become refreshing once again.

Even today, Gilligan hasn't strayed away from the dark humor and eccentric characters which have informed his writing sensibilities on Breaking Bad. Like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad is a series beloved not only for its shocking twists and development but its often deadpan humor.

The show's first two seasons are relatively steeped in dark humor, with its latter offerings embracing more of its dark undertones. As Walter finds himself ingrained deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld, the series naturally loses much of its earlier penchant for absurdity. If there's anything future television needs more of, it's well-placed dark humor interspersed within the personal dramas of the characters. 

Breaking Bad may be the series that defines Vince Gilligan's career for generations, but a change of pace may be beneficial for the creative mind. Vince has served as the one and only showrunner for Breaking Bad's entire run, while often taking the time to write and direct critical segments of the 62 episode show.

Not to mention Gilligan has already returned to the expansive world of crime, crystal meth, and ingenious time lapses with Better Call Saul and 2019's Netflix original feature film El Camino, which served as quite a definitive send-off to the present Breaking Bad timeline. Vince took on both writing and directing duties for the further adventures of Walter White's partner in crime Jesse Pinkman (Paul).

Though the series continues to find a generation of new fans through Netflix and annual AMC marathons, it would be difficult to continue to find a newfound arc to dig out of the Heisenberg & Friends well (unless perhaps a Gus Fring prequel series is finally greenlit).

The Wire creator David Simon hasn't returned to the streets of Baltimore since 2008; instead of devoting his time to develop new television characters and storylines. There are countless untested properties and concepts that have yet to be tapped in a televised medium. Gilligan and his partners at Sony TV would be wise to try out some new toys rather than pursue the Breaking Bad well for content once again.

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Opinions and Perspectives

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TheBachelor_SuperFan commented TheBachelor_SuperFan 2 years ago

His ability to surprise viewers while staying true to characters is remarkable.

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KallieH commented KallieH 2 years ago

Looking forward to seeing what new ground he breaks.

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Harmonic_Healing_99 commented Harmonic_Healing_99 3 years ago

Each project seems to build on what he learned from the last.

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Lexi-Ayers commented Lexi-Ayers 3 years ago

His influence on modern television is immeasurable.

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Evelyn_Love99 commented Evelyn_Love99 3 years ago

The way he handles moral ambiguity is fascinating.

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FlowStateZen commented FlowStateZen 3 years ago

Four years with Sony means quality over quantity.

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RapGodFan commented RapGodFan 3 years ago

Hoping he tries something completely unexpected next.

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Ava-Grace commented Ava-Grace 3 years ago

Even his minor characters feel fully developed.

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Aria_Sky92 commented Aria_Sky92 3 years ago

He really knows how to write antiheroes without glorifying them.

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LostInData commented LostInData 3 years ago

His work on X-Files really prepared him for balancing genres.

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Multiverse_Theorist_999 commented Multiverse_Theorist_999 3 years ago

Love how he lets stories breathe and develop naturally.

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Everly_J commented Everly_J 3 years ago

The article mentions his mysterious nature. That probably helps his creative process.

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GlowUpNutrition commented GlowUpNutrition 3 years ago

Wonder if he'll ever work with Bryan Cranston again in something new.

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Zen-Vibes_Only commented Zen-Vibes_Only 3 years ago

His attention to detail really rewards rewatching his shows.

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LolaPope commented LolaPope 3 years ago

Looking forward to seeing what new worlds he creates.

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Gwen-Glover commented Gwen-Glover 3 years ago

I trust him to know when to end a story. He's proven that already.

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QuantumHacker commented QuantumHacker 3 years ago

The way he builds tension in ordinary situations is masterful.

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Guthrie_Gazette commented Guthrie_Gazette 3 years ago

What amazes me is how he makes slow-burn stories so engaging.

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Daphne_Ford commented Daphne_Ford 3 years ago

I just hope he doesn't feel pressured to rush anything out.

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SophiaDavis commented SophiaDavis 3 years ago

His character development is second to none. Look at Walter White's arc.

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MysticVortex commented MysticVortex 3 years ago

Four more years means we might get two new series if we're lucky.

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Musical_Lover_44 commented Musical_Lover_44 3 years ago

Each show feels distinct while still maintaining his signature style.

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HackerVision commented HackerVision 3 years ago

Remember how skeptical we all were about a Saul spinoff? He proved us wrong.

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MelanieX commented MelanieX 3 years ago

Hope he continues to direct as well as write. His visual style is unique.

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Zombie_Movie_Survivor commented Zombie_Movie_Survivor 3 years ago

I'm glad Sony is giving him creative freedom. That's crucial for good storytelling.

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MelodyLover commented MelodyLover 3 years ago

Not many writers can make both critics and audiences happy consistently.

5
Danica99 commented Danica99 3 years ago

The article mentions dark humor, but his dramatic moments are equally powerful.

1
SyntheticExplorer commented SyntheticExplorer 3 years ago

His influence on television is undeniable. You can see it in so many shows now.

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FitAndFueled commented FitAndFueled 3 years ago

I'd actually love to see him do something completely different, maybe even a comedy.

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Mindful_Munchies_2024 commented Mindful_Munchies_2024 3 years ago

The way he develops side characters is amazing. Look at what he did with Saul.

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Sustainable-Soul_77 commented Sustainable-Soul_77 3 years ago

What impresses me most is how he makes seemingly simple stories so compelling.

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ChloeWalker commented ChloeWalker 3 years ago

I think he's earned the right to do whatever he wants creatively.

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Danielle_Shine commented Danielle_Shine 3 years ago

His shows really reward patient viewers. The payoffs are always worth the wait.

3
Bee_Bulletin commented Bee_Bulletin 3 years ago

After reading this, I want to rewatch The X-Files episodes he wrote.

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TVShowFreak commented TVShowFreak 3 years ago

The article mentions time lapses. His visual storytelling is so distinctive.

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SpaceOpera_Lover_55 commented SpaceOpera_Lover_55 3 years ago

It's refreshing to see a creator who cares more about quality than quantity.

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Stargazer101 commented Stargazer101 3 years ago

I love how he takes his time with storytelling. No rushed plots or forced drama.

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SkylineVibes commented SkylineVibes 3 years ago

The Sony deal makes sense. They've been supportive of his vision from the start.

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Eloise-Caldwell commented Eloise-Caldwell 3 years ago

Anyone else curious about what happened to that Wilder Naplam project mentioned in the article?

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DriveIn_Theater_Kid_99 commented DriveIn_Theater_Kid_99 3 years ago

His background in both comedy and drama really shows in how he balances both elements.

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FilmGuru commented FilmGuru 3 years ago

Four years seems like the perfect amount of time to develop something new and meaningful.

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ClassicHollywoodElite commented ClassicHollywoodElite 3 years ago

I actually prefer Better Call Saul to Breaking Bad. The character work is even more nuanced.

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TheGlitchMaster commented TheGlitchMaster 3 years ago

Better Call Saul proved lightning can strike twice. I trust whatever he does next will be worth watching.

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Organic_Fuel_101 commented Organic_Fuel_101 3 years ago

The fact that Breaking Bad started as a sleeper hit shows how patience in television development can pay off.

0
Sophie_Blossom commented Sophie_Blossom 3 years ago

I wonder if he'll ever return to the superhero genre after Hancock.

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TechRogue commented TechRogue 3 years ago

His attention to detail is incredible. Every scene matters, nothing is wasted.

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Maher_Musings commented Maher_Musings 3 years ago

The comparison to The Wire in the article is interesting. Both shows redefined their genres.

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JocelynX commented JocelynX 3 years ago

Something I love about his work is how he makes morally complex characters that you can't help but root for.

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MariaS commented MariaS 3 years ago

I'm excited to see what he does next, but I hope he takes his time developing it like he did with Breaking Bad.

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DramaSeriesLover commented DramaSeriesLover 3 years ago

The way he uses New Mexico as almost another character in his shows is brilliant.

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Hustle_With-Heart_42 commented Hustle_With-Heart_42 3 years ago

You can really see his writing style evolve from The X-Files through Breaking Bad and into Better Call Saul.

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LaceyM commented LaceyM 3 years ago

My fear is that Sony might push him to keep mining the Breaking Bad universe instead of letting him explore new ideas.

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SableX commented SableX 3 years ago

Looking back at Hancock, you can see some of his trademark character complexity even there.

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EcoFriendlyLife commented EcoFriendlyLife 3 years ago

The article mentions TV needs more well-placed dark humor. I couldn't agree more.

0
BellaSimmons commented BellaSimmons 3 years ago

I'd love to see him tackle something completely different. Maybe sci-fi again, given his X-Files background?

4
MikeWrites commented MikeWrites 3 years ago

The way Breaking Bad gradually shifted from dark comedy to pure drama was so natural. Many shows fail at that transition.

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OutdoorExplorer commented OutdoorExplorer 3 years ago

His experience on X-Files really shows in how he handles character development over long arcs.

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FantasyFlicks_Lover commented FantasyFlicks_Lover 3 years ago

I'm curious about this unrevealed property mentioned in the article. Anyone want to speculate?

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Potterhead98 commented Potterhead98 3 years ago

The best thing about Gilligan is how he subverts expectations. Just when you think you know where the story is going, he surprises you.

1
Valeria_Bailey commented Valeria_Bailey 3 years ago

I completely agree about the dark humor in early Breaking Bad seasons. That's what hooked me initially.

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Sullivan_Story commented Sullivan_Story 3 years ago

Reading about his early work makes me curious about Wilder Naplam. Anyone seen it?

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80s_Nostalgia_Kid commented 80s_Nostalgia_Kid 3 years ago

What impresses me most is how he maintains quality. Even Better Call Saul never felt like a cash grab.

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TianaM commented TianaM 3 years ago

Four more years with Sony seems like a good move. They've given him creative freedom and it's clearly working.

2
MetalHeadX commented MetalHeadX 3 years ago

Just finished rewatching Breaking Bad for the third time. The way he builds tension is unmatched.

3
BiancaH commented BiancaH 3 years ago

I actually agree with David Simon's approach mentioned at the end. Sometimes you need to know when to walk away and try something new.

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Sienna_Rose commented Sienna_Rose 3 years ago

The article mentions his early films. I'd love to see him return to feature films alongside his TV work.

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EpicDreamerX commented EpicDreamerX 3 years ago

Have you seen El Camino? I think it proved there are still great stories to tell in this world.

3
HealthyBodyHappySoul commented HealthyBodyHappySoul 3 years ago

I respectfully disagree about moving away from the Breaking Bad universe. When something works this well, why fix what isn't broken?

5
DylanBryant commented DylanBryant 3 years ago

The dark humor in his shows is what sets them apart for me. Nobody balances comedy and drama quite like Gilligan.

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FilmCritic_Lena commented FilmCritic_Lena 3 years ago

Interesting that they mentioned his work on Hancock. I had no idea he wrote that! Makes me wonder what other genres he could tackle.

1
FilmNoir_Fanatic_55 commented FilmNoir_Fanatic_55 3 years ago

Better Call Saul honestly surprised me. I thought it would just be riding Breaking Bad's coattails, but it really became its own masterpiece.

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MovieScript_Collector_007 commented MovieScript_Collector_007 3 years ago

I don't know, I actually wouldn't mind seeing a Gus Fring prequel. His character has so much untold backstory that could be fascinating.

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TheOutsiderX commented TheOutsiderX 3 years ago

Anyone else think it's amazing how he went from writing for X-Files to creating one of the greatest TV shows ever? Talk about career evolution!

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HappinessUnlocked commented HappinessUnlocked 3 years ago

While I love Breaking Bad, I kind of hope he moves away from that universe. There are so many other stories he could tell.

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Andreeva_Analysis commented Andreeva_Analysis 3 years ago

I'm thrilled about Gilligan's new Sony deal. His storytelling abilities are just incredible, and Breaking Bad changed how I view television.

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