As Better Call Saul nears the end of its six-season run, Vince Gilligan may finally be exiting the Breaking Bad universe that he created with the initial series in 2008. The successful run for the two shows, and spinoff movie, is unprecedented, with Breaking Bad winning two Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series and Better Call Saul receiving 46 total Emmy nominations, with seven of them for this year's final season. In addition, fans and critics enjoyed the film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, seizing 4 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Television Movie.
Given the franchise's popularity, it is natural that fans would be eager to hear what Gilligan was working on next. Thanks to a report from Deadline, we know a few details about his follow-up series. They claim the show will be a wholly original idea and a far departure from the world of Breaking Bad. Instead, the Deadline report says the new show returns to Gilligan's tenure on X-Files, where he focused on the human condition, exploring similar themes of bending reality while displaying humanity's tendencies. The series is described as a blended, grounded genre drama comparable to The Twilight Zone. Set in our world with a few tweaks, it focuses on people and explores the human condition in an unexpected and surprising way.
Gilligan is preparing a pitch with 8-9 networks lining up to hear it. The creator has written material that will accompany the pitch, giving buyers an idea of the world and tone he's constructed. Deadline reports the series will play over a couple of seasons with an overreaching story arc. Fans will be tuning into whatever Gilligan decides to do with his next project, as he's one of the most beloved TV creators of the last few decades.
Gilligan Admits He Wants to Leave the Breaking Bad World, For Now At Least
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Vince Gilligan has been writing stories in the world of Breaking Bad for the last 14 years, and the creator admits he's ready to move on from the universe. However, that doesn't mean he won't return with an eventual spinoff. In a blog release from AMC, Gilligan conveyed his passion for past projects while sharing his excitement for what he's working on next.
"As bittersweet a thing as this is to say, I'd like to take a break from the Better Call Saul/Breaking Bad world because we have three additions to that world I'm very proud of. Obviously we have the two shows, and we've got El Camino the movie, and I don't want to press my luck. I feel like we've got 127 hours of work that I couldn't be more proud of. Sixty-two episodes of the first show, 63 of the second, and then a two-hour movie."
He continues and discusses his work on the potential new, original series.
"I'm working on something new. I'm going to be pitching it soon and it could not be more different than Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and I'm hoping it sells and I'm hoping people like it. You just never know, but I'd be very excited to see it get made. I guess secretly in my heart of hearts I'd like to revisit Breaking Bad at some point, but I think it would have to be years from now. I think I need to prove to myself I'm not a one-trick pony."
Despite Gilligan's thoughts, most people wouldn't consider the creator a 'one-trick pony' with his success in the industry. However, if the filmmaker feels the need to prove himself once again with an entirely new show, fans will welcome the series with open arms.