*Vince Gilligan, the creator of “Breaking Bad,” is raising concerns about the growing admiration for fictional villains, saying they’ve become figures of aspiration.
Known for developing the iconic character of Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, Gilligan argues that contemporary storytelling should prioritize traditional heroes. He expressed his worry that in a world where real-life villainy is prevalent, fictional antiheroes are being romanticized rather than criticized for their flaws.
“Walter White is one of the all time great bad guys,” Gilligan said over the weekend while accepting the Writers Guild Award’s top honor, the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement, per TooFab.
“But all things being equal, I think we I’d rather be celebrated for creating someone a bit more inspiring. In 2025 it’s time to say that out loud, because we are living in an era where bad guys, the real life kind, are running amok. Bad guys who make their own rules, bad guys who, no matter what they tell you, are really out for themselves. Who am I talking about? Well, this is Hollywood, so guess,” he said in his acceptance speech.
“In 2025 it’s time to say that out loud, because we are living in an era where bad guys, the real life kind, are running amok. Bad guys who make their own rules, bad guys who, no matter what they tell you, are really out for themselves,” Gilligan continued.
Scroll to continue reading
“In our profoundly divided country, everybody seems to agree on one thing. There are too many real life bad guys. It’s just that we’re living in different realities,” the “Better Call Saul” creator explained.
“There’s no simple answer for how we might change that,” Gilligan continued. “Though, if it were, I bet it would have something to do with climbing up out of the cesspool of social media and actually listening to each other.”
Gilligan believes “bad guys” in pop culture and entertainment have become “too sexy.”
“I really think that, when we create characters as indelible as Michael Corleone or Hannibal Lecter or Darth Vader or Tony Soprano, viewers everywhere, all around the world, they pay attention,” Gilligan argued.
“They say, ‘Man, those dudes are badass. I want to be that cool,'” he continued. “When that happens, fictional bad guys stop being the cautionary player that they were created to be. God help us, they’ve become aspirational.”
“So maybe what the world needs now are some good, old fashioned, Greatest Generation types who give more than they take,” he said. “Who think that kindness, tolerance and sacrifice aren’t strictly for chumps.”
Read his full speech HERE.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: ‘Surface’ Season 2 Promises More Mystery, Romance and Revelations | EURexclusiveWATCH
