In the annals of television history, certain shows emerge as game-changers that redefine the medium’s possibilities. Breaking Bad stands as a prime example, not only for its gripping storyline and meticulously crafted characters but also for the extraordinary performance of Bryan Cranston, who played the lead role of Walter White.
The Vince Gilligan-created television series Breaking Bad explored the murkier recesses of the human psyche by tracing the development of a sweet-natured chemistry teacher into a ruthless drug lord. Vince Gilligan originally pitched it as “a story about a man who transforms himself from Mr. Chips into Scarface.”
What Was Breaking Bad Creator Vince Gilligan’s Initial Thought Regarding the Transformation?
Bryan Cranston‘s journey from the mild-mannered Walter White affectionately referred to as ‘Mr. Chips,’ to the ruthless and cunning drug lord known as ‘Scarface‘ remains an unforgettable transformation in TV history.
Walter White’s transition had a solid base from the very beginning. He was a talented chemist and former promising entrepreneur until his life took a series of tragic turns, which culminated in a cancer diagnosis that sparked his descent into the criminal underworld.
The moniker ‘Scarface’ relates to Al Pacino’s famous portrayal as Tony Montana in the movie of the same name, symbolizing Walter’s transformation from a person who first came across as kind to a power-hungry figure willing to break all ethical and legal barriers.
In a Podcast with Team Coco, Bryan Cranston referred to this transition and stated how the maker of the show Vince Gilligan at first thought it was not going to be a good idea and that the series would be doomed. He said:
“Throughout the course of the series which has never been done in series television, if you look at Archie Bunker or Tony Soprano or whoever they are, the same people react to different stimuli but they are the same person, whereas Walter White was going to change from a good honest guy to becoming a killer. As Vince Gilligan often says, ‘I just want to see if I can change a guy from Mr Chips to Scarface. They’re not going to let me, I know they’re just not going to let me do it but oh we’ll see what we can do.”
Despite starting off making meth to support his family, Mr. White has completely changed by the end of the series from a concerned husband and father into a boastful, power-hungry drug kingpin who will do everything to achieve what he wants.
Also Read: ‘Breaking Bad’ Turned Aaron Paul’s Life into a Nightmare But Luckily Bryan Cranston Saved Him
Walter White’s Evolution: From ‘Mr. Chips’ to ‘Scarface‘
With Walter White, the main character, at the center of this transition, Breaking Bad is more than just a television show; it’s a study of character development. Walter White’s journey is a psychological roller coaster that goes deeply into the human psyche and moral ambiguity, starting with his humble beginnings as the unassuming “Mr. Chips” of the chemistry classroom and ending with his eventual metamorphosis into the ruthless “Scarface” of the drug trade.
As Walter delves deeper into the drug trade, his actions grow increasingly morally reprehensible. With each transgression, a new facet of Walter White emerges. At the outset, he was no more a murderer than you or me. He just wanted to do something for his family before succumbing to cancer.
By the series’ climax, Walter’s transformation is complete. He’s no longer just a desperate man seeking security for his family. He has become the ‘Scarface‘ of the drug world, a ruthless kingpin who lets nothing stand in his way. The stark contrast between his original persona and the menacing figure he has become is both striking and chilling.
The series not only redefined television storytelling but also sparked discussions about the duality of human nature and the thin line between morality and corruption.
You can watch Breaking Bad on Netflix.
Source: YouTube
