After five critically acclaimed and visually arresting seasons, Breaking Bad will draw to its conclusion later this month on September 29th. Though many will lament the end of Heisenberg’s reign, AMC may have provided long time fans with an antidote after the network confirmed the previously rumoured spin-off series focusing on the devious Saul Goodman.
According to Deadline, the confirmation comes after lengthy negotiations between AMC, Sony Pictures and Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, who serve as the show’s creator and series writer, respectively. The report states that the concept for the Breaking Bad spin-off – which has been designed as a prequel – has been in the work for quite some time, with Gilligan himself expressing interest in the concept.
“I would love to see a Saul Goodman spin-off. I like the idea of a lawyer show in which the main lawyer will do anything it takes to stay out of a court of law.”
Tentatively titled Better Call Saul, the project will be given a one-hour pilot episode that will serve as a litmus test before AMC commission a full series of the Breaking Bad follow-up. Bob Odenkirk, the actor who plays the morally oblivious lawyer, will reprise his role for the offshoot, which is said to follow the evolution of the Saul Goodman character in a pre-Heisenberg Albuquerque.
Fans will be happy to known that both Gilligan and Gould will return to oversee the project for its preliminary episode, though it remains to be seen whether any other Breaking Bad alumni make an appearance on AMC’s follow-up. Moreover, there was no news as to when the one-hour standalone episode will debut; mind you, it’s logical for Gilligan to give his flagship show some breathing space before delving into an adjacent storyline.
What do you think, though? Will Better Call Saul endure without the tonal contrast and overall presence of Heisenberg et al?