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Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan has signed a new overall deal with the studio behind the acclaimed AMC drama series, Sony Pictures TV. The rich 18-month pact kicks in retroactively to November, when Gilligan’s previous deal with the studio expired (he has been working on the show without a contract for the past three months), and will keep him at Sony though June 2013. The deal covers Gilligan’s services as executive producer/showrunner on the final 16 episodes of Breaking Bad, which will begin production in late March. The order will be filmed in two batches of eight episodes, with a break of several months between for writers to work on scripts. The pact also includes development component, with Gilligan expected to focus on new projects for Sony after he wraps Breaking Bad.
Breaking Bad has always been an awards darling, earning star Bryan Cranston three Emmys. But with its dark subject matter and serialized nature, it was initially a tough sale and sparked two contentious renewal negotiations between Sony TV and AMC over costs. Then over the past year, the series grew into a commercial success, hitting series-high ratings in its most recent fourth season on AMC, ringing in record DVD sales for the studio and doing well on Netflix. Gilligan, an X-Files alum, is with ICM.
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I’d happily take another X-Files movie if Gilligan wrote the script.
Yes. The biggest downfall of the two X-Files features is they were badly written.
It seems almost impossible that he managed to create such a brave novel of a series within the brutal realm of commercial television compromise… I can’t imagine the amount of patience, genius and fortitude that it took/takes to craft something as distinctive, careful and indellible as “Breaking Bad”- There is nothing like this series. Vince Gilligan is just the best.
Completely agree with Unbelievable. Working without a contract in place for three months takes a lot of guts and faith. I am such an admirer of Vince, and the Breaking Bad writers/producers for not caving into studio pressures.
Such an incredible talent. Don’t know him personally, but we’re all lucky to have him making TV.
Any whispers about what his next series would be about?
Saul Goodman spin-off series with Odenkirk! YEAH!
Vince do 20 new ep’s instead of 16 give us four extra hours of Walt.
I want to thank not only Gilligan, the cast and crew but the unseen powers that be, who, at any time could have easily bowed to pressure (if there was any) and just cancelled the series.
This is gutsy television and the few million of us out here who starve to death between such brilliance in the cable wasteland truly appreciate the opportunity to watch TV such as this. Breaking Bad and other award winning cerebral shows that have come before- especially the ones that have beaten the odds- are rare treats for fans of such writing/acting and directing.
My favorite writer working in TV right now, and I’d say I’m aspiring to be him when I grow up except that the odds of selling such an edgy, challenging show to the pablum factory seem worse now than ever. In any case, great for him. He deserves everything good he gets.
This guy is awesome but that goatee is an abomination.
He could wear a goat on his face and still be cool.
With his X-Files credentials, he’d obviously be great at sci fi if he wanted to return to that genre…
Now there’s a lesson to be learned here for everyone in TV: plan on how the end of the series instead of coming up with something on the fly before the network gives you the axe.
The best Showrunner in the business working with the best writing and production staff, and the very best cast on television. Truly the most talented group of people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Vince deserves all his success now and in the future, and Sony just made the smartest deal of the year. Every so often Hollywood does work.
I’ve been teaching a graduate class at UCLA for a while now and I’m lucky enough to get writers, showrunners, executives and talent to come and share their experiences. Vince came after Season 1 of BREAKING BAD and couldn’t have been more gracious, open and inspiring. He even mentored one of my students for a year afterwards. What a class act.
This guy is AWESOME! Glad he got a final season. He’s smart to wrap it up before it goes on for too long and gets tired. I think at one point after season 2 finale he said he saw it probably going 4 seasons but I’m glad theres still enough story left to do a fifth. Best drama since Boomtown. And Bryan Cranston from Malcolm in the middle being on here is AWESOME!. What first made me want to watch this is that “hal” was cooking meth. I watched the first 3 episodes, nothing like hal, but just as awesome!
TV Writer, I am lucky enough to know him because we live across the street from his mother. Not only is he an incredible talent, but when you are with him, as we are every Christmas because he is visiting his mother, he is the most humble, non-assuming gentleman I have every met. He has a way of making others feel special and welcomed into his world. Because of his success, he could easily be above it all, but he isn’t–not even a hint of it. His character is well rooted in his humble beginnings. Great guy!!