AMC’s ‘Better Call Saul’ Confirmed as ‘Breaking Bad’ Prequel and Sequel Series?
Early on in development of 'Breaking Bad' spinoff 'Better Call Saul,' it seemed somewhat apparent the story would chronicle Saul Goodman's (Bob Odenkirk) career before meeting Walter White. Odenkirk himself then alluded that we might catch up with the sleazy lawyer post-'Breaking Bad,' as well, and now the showrunner has confirmed a "flexible timeline" that could see some familiar favorites returning to the fold.
Despite the fact that the first official image from AMC's 'Better Call Saul' clearly highlighted a younger incarnation of the character, executive producer and showrunner Peter Gould confirmed to New York's Daily News that we might see the character of Saul Goodman through multiple decades, including both before, during and after the events of 'Breaking Bad' itself:
One of the great things about having a time line which is flexible is that perhaps some of it takes place before ‘Breaking Bad,’ during ‘Breaking Bad,’ and after ‘Breaking Bad'. That gives us the ability to bring back characters that were killed on ‘Breaking Bad.'
Set to premiere in early 2015 and already renewed for a second season, 'Better Call Saul' will feature Jonathan Banks’ returning as Mike Ehrmantraut, alongside a new cast that includes Christopher Guest alum Michael McKean as the handicapped Dr. Thurber, ‘The Last Exorcism’ star Patrick Fabian as “Kennedy-type” white-shoe law firm lawyer Burt, Rhea Seehorn as fellow lawyer Beth, and ‘Orphan Black”s Michael Mando as Spanish-speaking career criminal Eddie. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul have also expressed their interest in appearing on the series, though Dean Norris appeared to reject the idea.
There's still plenty we don't know about 'Better Call Saul' before its 2015 debut, but the idea of a fluid timeline telling stories beyond 'Breaking Bad''s end certainly appeals more so than a straight prequel. What do you think? Will 'Better Call Saul' live up to its predecessor, or can nothing top the ballad of Walter White?