Vince Gilligan Calls for Writers to Cut Back on Villain Stories Amid Current Political Climate: “They’ve Become Aspirational”

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On the memorable evening of the Writers Guild Awards last Saturday, I found myself standing before an esteemed audience and felt compelled to share some thoughts that leaned towards the political. My message was clear: let’s shine a brighter light on the heroes in our stories rather than the antagonists that often capture the spotlight.

At the LA event where I received the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Excellence, I humbly accepted it, recognizing that my work on “Breaking Bad” and crafting one of television’s greatest villains in Walter White was being recognized.

Personally, I’d prefer the acclaim for crafting a character more uplifting. In 2025, let’s openly acknowledge this, as our world is filled with villains who walk among us. These are individuals setting their own laws, and no matter what they claim, they’re solely driven by self-interest. Who do I refer to? Well, it’s Hollywood, so you can take a guess. However, here’s the ironic twist, in our deeply divided nation, there’s one thing we all seem to concur on: there are too many real-life villains, but unfortunately, we’re living in different truths, thus our lists of ‘bad guys’ differ.

As a game enthusiast standing among fellow creators, I shared my thoughts on a topic we’re all familiar with: creating memorable characters. I suggested that perhaps it’s time for us to focus more on writing compelling heroes rather than overly attractive villains, which have been the norm for far too long. I pointed out iconic characters like Darth Vader and Hannibal Lecter as examples of this trend, arguing that when viewers idolize these antagonists, they lose their intended purpose as cautionary tales. Instead, they become something to aspire towards – a dangerous path we should avoid, if you ask me. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, indicating their agreement on the matter.

Perhaps, the world could benefit from individuals embodying the selfless spirit of the great generations, offering more than they receive. It’s heartening to learn about such heroes and their acts of kindness, especially during times of crisis like the recent Los Angeles wildfires.

Despite urging writers to persist with their convictions and passions, he suggested they ponder the idea. Fictional villains can be entertaining and simpler to craft effectively, but perhaps we could introduce more characters like George Bailey and Andy Taylor. I believe such characters contribute positively to our society during challenging periods; if I were to create them, I would certainly feel a sense of pride.

Though he encouraged writers to stay dedicated to their beliefs and interests, he proposed that they consider adding more characters like George Bailey and Andy Taylor in their works. While villains can be intriguing and easier to develop, these types of characters could help improve our nation during difficult times. If I wrote them, I would undoubtedly feel a strong sense of accomplishment.

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2025-02-16 06:54