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Breaking Badis still one of the most acclaimed series to grace our screens, it’s a story of grit, depth, and transformation, crafted by Vince Gilligan. However, during the pitching phase of Walter White’s dark tale, Gilligan came across some unexpected challenges, that nearly stopped him in his tracks.
No creator wants to be accused of copying other shows, but in one meeting, Gilligan had to face the unfortunate circumstance. We already know this setback was not nearly enough to stop the show’s creation. However, fans of the series would appreciate such little anecdotes, that give them a glimpse of what led to the making ofBreaking Bad.
Vince Gilligan Panicked OverBreaking Bad’sComparison ToWeeds
WhenVince Gilliganbegan pitchingBreaking Bad, he was deeply invested in the concept of an ordinary, mild-mannered man taking a dark, extraordinary path for the sake of his family. During a meeting with a prominent network executive, however, he encountered a disheartening surprise (viaNewsweek)
I was about five minutes into my story, which I had titled Breaking Bad, when [the network president] idly offered, ‘This sounds a lot like Weeds,’
At that moment, a cold rush of panic swept over him.“I could feel the blood drain from my face,”Gilligan recounted. The comparison toWeeds, a Showtime series that also featured a suburban parent dealing drugs to support their family, seemed far too close for comfort. Though the setup ofWeedsinvolved a suburban mom selling marijuana, while Gilligan’s protagonist dealt with methamphetamine, he couldn’t shake the fear that his originality might be undermined by this unexpected parallel.
Vince Gilligan Was Sure Breaking Bad Will be Canceled after Season 2 or 3 If Not for a Revolutionary Technology That Changed Cinema
Fortunately, Gilligan’s team at Sony Television remained confident in the originality and uniqueness of his vision. His producers, Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht reassured him, saying, “Your thing is completely different. She deals pot, and your guy deals crystal meth. Apples and oranges.”Gilligan though rattled, decided to press on, finding solace in the idea thatBreaking Bad’s darker, tragic tone contrasted sharply withWeeds’ lighthearted, comedic approach.
Vince Gilligan Shares The True Inspiration BehindBreaking Bad
The moment of panic may have shaken Gilligan, but he shared during the Austin Film Festival that the idea behindBreaking Bademerged from much more modest beginnings, born out of a random comment from fellow writer Tom Schnauz. As Gilligan reminisced, his career had hit a standstill afterThe X-Files, leaving him and Schnauz without clear direction (viaFar Out).
“They’re just not going to let me do it”: Vince Gilligan’s Plan for Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad Was So Bonkers Even He Knew the Network Will Say No
As they joked about their predicament, Schnauz made an offhand remark that would change television history.“He said, ‘What about if we just pool our resources, buy an RV, and put a meth lab in the back,’”Gilligan remembered. This comment, meant as a joke, stuck with Gilligan and sparked a creative breakthrough.
I don’t know what it was, but suddenly I was intensely intrigued. I’m not sure where it came from. But the idea of a guy who would do such a thing, an otherwise good man doing a reprehensible deed, in order to save his family: that was the early impetus.
With this compelling concept in mind, Gilligan set out to create the layered, morally ambiguous character of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher-turned-crystal meth kingpin. To hook viewers immediately, Gilligan opened theBreaking Badpilot with a flash-forward, an unconventional choice he explained as a strategic move to captivate audiences from the first scene.
You can watchBreaking Badon Netflix.
Sonika Kamble
Articles Published :1196
Sonika Kamble is an entertainment writer at Fandomwire, covering everything from timeless classics to newly released movies. With over 1000+ articles published, she delves into breakdowns, think pieces, speculations, and more.She enjoys connecting the dots and covering newfound angles about characters, scenes, and themes from movies directed by Scorsese, Fincher, Tarantino, Linklater, and other exceptional filmmakers.
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