'Breaking Bad' creator fears Hollywood has glamorized bad guys: 'They become aspirational'
Show Caption
Hide Caption
'Breaking Bad' actor Bryan Cranston slams Disney, Bob Iger over AI
"Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston directed a speech at Disney CEO Bob Iger calling for understanding during the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Damien Henderson, Storyful
Vince Gilligan wants Hollywood to take a break from bad guys.
At the Writers Guild of America Awards on Saturday, the "Breaking Bad" creator expressed concern about films and TV shows glamorizing evil characters like his show's protagonist Walter White (Bryan Cranston).
"For decades, we've made the villains too sexy," Gilligan said. "When we create characters as indelible as Michael Corleone or Hannibal Lecter or Darth Vader or Tony Soprano, viewers everywhere pay attention. They say, 'Man, those dudes are badass! I want to be that cool.'
"When that happens, fictional bad guys stop being the cautionary tales that they were intended to be. God help us, they become aspirational."
Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox.
Gilligan was honored at the ceremony with the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for achievement in television writing, and he noted he was there "because of 'Breaking Bad' and Walter White." But though he is "proud" of the character, a cancer-stricken teacher who begins making meth to provide for his family, Gilligan said he would "rather be celebrated for creating someone a bit more inspiring" − especially in today's environment.
"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," he said. "Bad guys who make their own rules. Bad guys who, no matter what they tell you, are only out for themselves."
Though Gilligan did not specify who he sees as today's real-life bad guys, he quipped, "Who am I talking about? Well, this is Hollywood, so guess."
'Breaking Bad' home is up for sale: The Albuquerque residence has an asking price of $4 million
The Emmy winner implored the room full of television and film writers to "write more good guys," suggesting that characters like George Bailey from "It's a Wonderful Life" and Andy Taylor from "The Andy Griffith Show" "made our country a little bit better during some other tough times in our history."
"If I had created them, I'd be proud, indeed," he added.
After "Breaking Bad" ended in 2013, Gilligan co-created the spinoff "Better Call Saul," which followed lawyer Jimmy McGill's (Bob Odenkirk) descent into the corrupt Saul Goodman. His next show for Apple TV+ is set to star "Better Call Saul" alum Rhea Seehorn − and he noted at the WGAs that she plays "a good guy."
'El Camino': 'Breaking Bad' creator explains how that major character returned
Saturday's ceremony also posthumously honored director David Lynch with the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement, which was presented by "Twin Peaks" star Kyle MacLachlan.
"My heart breaks that he's gone, but the world is so much fuller because he was here," the actor said.
"Anora" remained an Oscar best-picture frontrunner as it won best original screenplay at Saturday's awards show, while "Nickel Boys" picked up best adapted screenplay.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
UFC 319 Livestream: How to Watch Du Plessis vs. Chimaev MMA Fight Live Online
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The Ultimate Fighting Championship goes to 'The Windy City.' The main event of UFC 319 features South African Dricus Du Plessis (23-2-0) defending his middleweight title against Emirati fighter Khamzat Chimaev (14-0-0) in a marquee matchup. More from Variety ESPN Will Not Air Spike Lee's Colin Kaepernick Docuseries Due to 'Creative Differences' Apple Watch Series 10: How to Get the Smartwatch With New Blood Oxygen Tracking Feature Online The Best Ergonomic Desk Chairs for Back-To-School and Dorm Life UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev takes place at United Center in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, Aug. 16. Early prelims is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT, while the prelims start at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The main card kicking off at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Buy: UFC 319 PPV Feed on ESPN+ for $79.99 'I made my debut after him, I'm on my third title defense,' Du Plessis said of his opponent to 'I'm the world champion. He hasn't fought a world champion. He's fought a former world champion, but he hasn't fought a world champion.' How to Watch UFC 319 Online UFC 319 is a pay-per-view (PPV) event that's available to stream exclusively on ESPN+. The only way to watch the MMA event is to purchase the PPV livestream feed here. The UFC 319 PPV price is $79.99 for ESPN+ subscribers. But, if you're not, then you can sign up for a ESPN+ monthly subscription and PPV for $91.98, or purchase an ESPN+ yearly subscription with the PPV stream for $134.98 — a 33% savings of the monthly price. $134.98 $199.98 33% off BUY: ESPN+ ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION with UFC 319 PPV In addition, you can sign up for the Disney Trio, which includes in ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+ starting at $16.99/month. How to Livestream UFC 319 Online Free Since this is an official pay-per-view fight, there isn't a way to watch UFC 319 online for free. However, the early prelims and prelims stream free on Disney+ and ESPN+ for subscribers, while the prelims broadcast on cable network ESPN on TV — which is available via DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV. Use this DirecTV free trial to watch the prelims online for free. Both the early prelims and prelims livestream on Disney+ and ESPN+ free, so it might be worth signing up for Disney Trio for the event. UFC 319 Odds & Predictions For the main event, Du Plessis is the favorite to retain his title against Chimaev — despite his opponent's undefeated record. Oddsmakers give Dricus Du Plessis a +170 moneyline, while Chimaev received a line of -210 as the underdog. Want more odds? Check out the complete odds and wagers at online here. Visit Want to attend UFC 319? Last-minute seats to the United Center are still available on StubHub, TicketNetwork, and SeatGeek. In fact, you can save $150 off when you spend $500 with promo code VARIETY150, or $300 off when you spend $1,000 with promo code VARIETY300 at You can livestream UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev online with ESPN+, with the pay-per-view feed for $79.99 for access to the entire event. Main Card, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT — PPV Middleweight: Dricus Du Plessis (champion) vs. Khamzat Chimaev — Main Event, Title Fight Featherweight: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico — Co-Main Event Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates Middleweight: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura Prelims, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT — ESPN, Disney+, ESPN+ Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk Middleweight: Baysangur Susurkaev vs. Eric Nolan Women's Strawweight: Jéssica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez Lightweight: Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez Early Prelims, 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT — Disney+, ESPN+ Lightweight: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose Middleweight: Bryan Battle vs. Nursulton Ruziboev Women's Flyweight: Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa Flyweight: Alibi Idiris vs. Joseph Morales Buy: UFC 319 PPV Feed on ESPN+ Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Jay Cutler denies Kristin Cavallari didn't receive money in divorce: 'Borderline slander'
Money talks, and so does Jay Cutler. The former NFL player and ex-husband of TV personality Kristin Cavallari opened up about the couple's divorce settlement after Cavallari got candid on her post-split finances on her reality show, "Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour." Cutler and Cavallari were married from 2013-2020 and share three children. During the June 18 episode of "Honestly Cavallari," the "Laguna Beach" alum, 38, reportedly debunked speculation that Cutler funded her beauty and apparel brand Uncommon James. "People love to say that everything I have in my life is because of my ex-husband," she said, per People magazine and NBC News affiliate KRNV. "I have never gotten a penny from my ex-husband," Cavallari added. "I didn't get any money from our divorce, so let's just clear that up." Cutler, 42, pushed back against his ex-wife's comments on the Aug. 15 episode of his podcast, "Take it Outside with Jay Cutler and Sam Mackey", joking: "Yeah, she didn't get a penny. She got a lot, a lot, a lot of (dollar) bills." "It's irresponsible. I think it's reckless," Cutler continued. "It's borderline slander to insinuate that there was zero dollars split during the marriage that each side got." USA TODAY has reached out to Cavallari's representative for comment. In April 2020, Cavallari announced her split from Cutler in an Instagram post, writing, "With great sadness, after 10 years together we have come to a loving conclusion to get a divorce." According to People magazine and the former couple later reached a child custody agreement, which allowed Cavallari to use "marital funds" to purchase a home for herself. Kristin Cavallari interview: 'Laguna Beach' alum is open to talking about anything, except her ex-husband. How much money did Kristin Cavallari receive from Jay Cutler divorce? While Cutler didn't go into details about how much money was allotted to Cavallari in their divorce settlement, the Chicago Bears alum said, "I can guarantee you it's definitely not zero dollars." "You can go and see how much I made in the NFL. It's online," said Cutler, who reportedly earned $122.2 million across 12 seasons. "If we would have went to the judge and been like, 'Hey, he's going to keep every single dollar over the past seven years, and you're going to get nothing,' ... they would have been like, 'No, this isn't right. This isn't legal. Not happening.' " Kristin Cavallari talks Jay Cutler: TV personality says she was 'skin and bones' during 'unhappy' marriage When asked by cohost Sam Mackey if the settlement money is enough to live "comfortably" on, Cutler replied, "without a doubt." "It's insanity. It's completely false, completely untrue. It just is. I've got a divorce decree," Cutler said. "(I) hate that I even have to address it, honestly, but it gets to a point where it's just untrue." Contributing: Jay Stahl, USA TODAY
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
When does 'Peacemaker' Season 2 come out? Premiere date, time, cast, where to watch
John Cena is back to spread more peace with Season 2 of "Peacemaker." Based on the character from James Gunn's 2021 film "The Suicide Squad," the series follows the "explosive escapades" of Peacemaker, "a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it," according to HBO. In Season 2 of the series, Peacemaker "discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be." However, it is also puts him in a position where he is forced "to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands." Cena, during a Season 2 panel for the action-comedy series at Comic-Con, said Peacemaker 'is going through a rough patch in life and thinks the grass might be greener on the other side.' 'That's something people can relate to," the actor had added. All eight episodes of "Peacemaker" Season 2 have been written by James Gunn, who also directed three episodes this season, including the first. "Peacemaker" is also the first original DC show to have its series premiere on HBO Max, according to HBO Max Head of Original Content Sarah Aubrey. Gunn, meanwhile, at Comic-Con teased that Season 2 is more extreme than the first and is definitely not for kids – there's a very sexual situation in the first episode that made actor Steve Agee (John Economos) think 'it's insane we're showing it on cable.' Watch 'Peacemaker' with Sling + Max Here's what to know about Season 2 of "Peacemaker," including the release date and cast. 'Peacemaker' Season 2: John Cena, James Gunn tease new season We've got room on the couch! Sign up for USA TODAY's Watch Party newsletter for more recaps of your favorite shows. 'Peacemaker' Season 2 release date Season 2 of "Peacemaker" is scheduled to premiere Thursday, Aug. 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Max. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle How to watch 'Peacemaker' Season 2 Season 2 of "Peacemaker" will be available to stream on Max, weekly on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Season 1 of "Peacemaker" is also available to stream on HBO Max. Watch 'Peacemaker' with Sling + Max How many episodes will 'Peacemaker' Season 2 have? Season 2 of 'Peacemaker' will have eight episodes, according to HBO Max. 'Peacemaker' Season 2 cast New cast members include: Watch Peacemaker' trailer Contributing: Brian Truitt, USA TODAY Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
