Award-Winning Creator Gilligan Unveils His Sci-Fi Influences Behind The New Series Pluribus
After an extended hiatus away from sci-fi storytelling, Vince Gilligan is staging a return back to where he began. Starting out with The X-Files, in which he wrote three dozen installments, and also crafting the script behind Will Smith’s film Hancock, the creator has spent recent years immersed in the universe of Breaking Bad Universe. This fall, via his latest streaming project Pluribus, he returns back home toward sci-fi that launched his journey.
A Secretive Plot with Cryptic Teasers
The plot and concept of Pluribus remain top secret. The trailers and previews are intentionally vague. In one, a brief scene shows a woman alone at work after hours nonchalantly taking pastries out of a box labeled “Feel free!” then tasting them prior to returning the treats carefully back in the box. Reviewers aren’t allowed to say details regarding the show’s explosive premiere, except that the story kicks off as our modern world transforms dramatically.
The Creator’s Sci-Fi Recommendations
Since details on the story or development were off-limits, the showrunner fielded a simple inquiry: What additional science fiction series or movies should fans watch to get ready for Pluribus?
“Each of the original and the remake versions from Body Snatchers; that’s an excellent reference point,” Gilligan explains. “The Twilight Zone, that’s forever my go-to. The Thing, the John Carpenter film. I like both versions, but I particularly love Carpenter’s take.”
A Love Letter for Science Fiction Fans
For those who are a fan of science fiction or scary movies, you will probably identify the stories that influenced Pluribus. The show’s influences are far from understated — which is exactly the idea. The creator says his aim with the new show was to riff on the genre itself.
“My thought process involved of every science fiction trope and horror conventions I could throw into this show, and then flip each one upside down,” he says. “ That’s what made me excited.”
In other words: Pluribus serves as a sci-fi show aimed at genre lovers. So if you approach to it being a Breaking Bad devotee who’s never been much for sci-fi, you may want to complete a bit of homework beforehand. Gilligan just provided the curriculum.
Pluribus debuts Nov. 7 on Apple TV+.
