‘Breaking Bad’ creator Vince Gilligan is urging Hollywood to tell more stories about good guys

Vince Gilligan, the creator of the iconic antihero Walter White from Breaking Bad, believes that Hollywood focuses too much on bad characters. During his acceptance speech for the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement at the Writers Guild Awards, Gilligan expressed his desire for more stories about good people.

He stated, “Walter White is a legendary bad guy, but personally, I would prefer to be known for creating a character who is more inspiring. In today’s world, where real-life villains seem to be gaining power, it’s important to shift our focus to stories about positive role models.”

Gilligan criticized the current trend of glorifying bad characters in media, suggesting that it sends the wrong message to audiences.

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He added, “Characters like Michael Corleone, Hannibal Lecter, and Darth Vader may seem cool and powerful on screen, but they should serve as cautionary tales, not role models. We need more characters who embody kindness, tolerance, and selflessness, rather than selfishness and ruthlessness.”

Despite the success of Breaking Bad, which unintentionally portrayed Walter White as a hero to some viewers, Gilligan is now committed to creating narratives that emphasize the importance of morality and virtue.