Much like AMC’s other major franchise, “The Walking Dead,” Vince Gilligan’s “Breaking Bad” universe is set to expand a bit more in the future. After the impressive success of “Breaking Bad,” creator Vince Gilligan spun that series off with “Better Call Saul,” which serves as a prequel to the Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston-led series. Now, according to reports, Gilligan has a new spin-off in mind, but instead of a new TV series, it appears he’s got his eyes set on a film.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the New Mexico Film Office has a project called “Greenbrier” scheduled to shoot from mid-November all the way until February. The mysterious project carries a brief synopsis that says the film “tracks the escape of a kidnapped man and his quest for freedom.” The Journal investigated further and can confirm that “Greenbrier” is the codename being used for whatever the “Breaking Bad” film spin-off will actually be called.
Deadline also confirmed that this film project is indeed tied to the “Breaking Bad” universe, but has a few more details. According to the report, “Greenbrier” will be written (and probably directed) by series creator Vince Gilligan. And while no cast members have been confirmed, it appears that multiple returning cast members from “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” are slated to return.
Obviously, the big question that remains unanswerable at the time is the status of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White character. As we know, at the end of “Breaking Bad,” White is killed. If this film takes place as a prequel, similar to ‘Saul,’ then we could anticipate a return of Cranston. However, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up just yet, as it still remains unlikely that Cranston will return. But we’ll just have to wait and see.
Another interesting tidbit about the report says that “Greenbrier,” though reported to be a film, could actually end up as a limited series. Deadline says the final details with Sony have yet to be worked out, so this “Breaking Bad” project could end up as a feature film or perhaps a short, self-contained limited series.
Either way, it appears that fans will be getting yet another expansion of the “Breaking Bad” mythology, and a lot sooner than anticipated.