Between 2008 and 2013, Breaking Bad made Bryan Cranston, Bob Odenkirk, and Giancarlo Esposito cult figures in the television space. While Cranston etched his name in the history books with his memorable performance as a frustrated chemistry teacher-turned meth dealer, Odenkirk’s impressive turn as an unscrupulous lawyer Saul Goodman got him his own blockbuster spinoff show, Better Call Saul.
Breaking Bad further benefited from the chilling presence of Giancarlo Esposito, who played Gustavo Fring, the drug kingpin who masquerades as a fried chicken restaurant chain owner to hide his illegal deeds. Esposito also reprised his role in Better Call Saul, which put Odenkirk’s character front and center. With the culmination of this prequel, Esposito expressed his desire for his antagonist to get his own spinoff show. His views, though, received mixed reactions from netizens online.
Fans React To Giancarlo Esposito’s Desire For A Gustavo Fring Spinoff Series
There is no doubt that Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad is one of the most intimidating villains to have graced any television show. The chilling drug lord played by Hollywood star Giancarlo Esposito gave many viewers sleepless nights and played an integral part in the blockbuster series and its prequel Better Call Saul connecting with audiences across the world.
With Bob Odenkirk’s Saul Goodman getting his share of the limelight as the central protagonist in his own show, Esposito too expressed his desire for his antagonist Gustavo Fring to be developed further in a spinoff series in which many aspects of the character’s past could be elaborated upon.
While this seemed like an exciting prospect on paper, many Breaking Bad fans believed that this was not a good idea and would dilute the character’s enigma and aura, which is central to his personality. A few other fans, though, were of the opinion that Gustavo Fring’s complexities as an antagonist warranted an expansion, and a spinoff series would be a perfect way to do that.
Well… watch Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul? There is no reason for a Gus show. Please don’t make this into a MCU like universe. I beg you to not do it
— Karman Gill (@Kgill39) January 16, 2024
i wouldn’t mind seeing more of the Mexican side of things like the rise of the salamancas and gus’ involvement.
— Michael (@Javelin_46) January 16, 2024
I don’t want a Gus prequel. He’s better a bit more mysterious. Maybe a Jesse series in Alaska? Maybe Better Call Saul meets Northern Exposure.
— Andrew (@nbalegacypod) January 15, 2024
I’d like another spin off but Gus’s story was told over two different series. Would rather they focus on another character.
— Kerouac’s Whiskey 🖖 🌊 🔮 (@oldstylevegas) January 15, 2024
this might be a hot take but i really hope they dont make any more bb/bcs stuff, mainly just because I’m scared they’ll mess it up but also because bcs ended the breaking bad universe perfectly, so i dont think id want any more bb stuff. but if they did id 100% watch
— Yellow Pant (@Xzilarator_clan) January 16, 2024
I would watch this religiously.
— AaronShack64TV (@aaronshack64TV) January 16, 2024
While Esposito revealed his desire to take Gustavo Fring to the next level following the end of Better Call Saul, there has still not been any information from creator Vince Gilligan regarding the possibility of a spinoff till date.
How Giancarlo Esposito Brought Gustavo Fring to Life
Irrespective of the mixed reactions from viewers regarding a Gustavo Fring spinoff series, Giancarlo Esposito has ensured that he has given audiences nightmares with his performance as the antagonist in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Behind the scenes, though, the actor put in massive efforts to bring his character to life.
As part of his preparation, Esposito internalized the character and used innovative techniques to make him more nuanced and believable. Recalling how he started with finding the right voice, Esposito laid down the details in an interview with Mr Feel Good and said,
“I realized something about myself, that’s probably true for many others, that we’re uncomfortable with space so we fill it with a laugh, or whatever it is. I decided not to do that with Gus, and to fill that awkward space with a breath and an investigation. So I used that every day on the set, and my life changed.”
The Better Call Saul star also embraced meditation and yoga, regularly practicing both on the sets of Breaking Bad, which helped him stay grounded and went a long way into bringing the stillness that defined the character.
