Vince Gilligan Calls for More Heroes, Says Villains Like Walter White & Darth Vader Are Too Idolized

Vince Gilligan, the mastermind behind Breaking Bad, created one of television’s most famous antiheroes: Walter White. Played by Bryan Cranston, the character transformed from a struggling chemistry teacher to the ruthless drug kingpin known as Heisenberg. But while Walter White was meant to be a cautionary tale, Gilligan has noticed a troubling trend—villains like him are being idolized rather than feared.

Speaking at the Writers Guild Awards while accepting the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement, Gilligan shared his concerns about the glorification of fictional bad guys. He believes it’s time to shift the focus back to true heroes in storytelling.

Gilligan acknowledged Walter White as one of TV’s greatest villains but expressed regret that audiences seem to admire him for the wrong reasons. “Walter White is one of the all-time great bad guys,” he said. “But all things being equal, I think I’d rather be celebrated for creating someone a bit more inspiring.”

The writer pointed out that real-world figures who operate like TV’s most notorious criminals have become more common, making it even more important to stop glorifying villains.

“In 2025, it’s time to say that out loud, because we are living in an era where bad guys, the real-life kind, are running amok. Bad guys who make their own rules, bad guys who, no matter what they tell you, are really out for themselves.” Then, with a knowing nod to the industry, he added, “Who am I talking about? Well, this is Hollywood, so guess.”

Gilligan reflected on how iconic bad guys—like Michael Corleone, Hannibal Lecter, Darth Vader, and Tony Soprano—have shaped pop culture. Instead of being warnings, these characters have become aspirational figures.

“I really think that, when we create characters as indelible as Michael Corleone or Hannibal Lecter or Darth Vader or Tony Soprano, viewers everywhere, all around the world, they pay attention,” he said. “They say, ‘Man, those dudes are badass. I want to be that cool.’ When that happens, fictional bad guys stop being the cautionary tale they were meant to be. God help us, they’ve become aspirational.”

According to Gilligan, the world could use more classic, selfless heroes—the kind who prioritize kindness, sacrifice, and tolerance over personal gain. “Maybe what the world needs now are some good, old-fashioned, Greatest Generation types who give more than they take. Who think that kindness, tolerance, and sacrifice aren’t strictly for chumps.”

“As the years have gone on, we’ve got more and more shows and movies and novels and stories of all kinds where the point got missed somewhere. The bad guys should be more of a cautionary tale than aspirational. It’s just starting to feel that way. If you have enough stories with bad guys in them, who are we supposed to root for?”

Gilligan believes that writers, actors, and storytellers have the power to shape the world through their work. As he reflected on his legacy, he admitted that, while he’s proud of Walter White, “is that the thing you want first on your tombstone?”

It seems that for Gilligan, the answer is no. And as he moves forward, he hopes to create characters that inspire people to be better, not worse.

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