‘Breaking Bad’ on the BIG SCREEN
Cinematic version of iconic TV series will be filmed in ABQ
After much speculation, the “Breaking Bad” movie will begin filming soon in Albuquerque. According to the New Mexico Film Office, the movie “Greenbrier” will begin production in the Duke City mid-November through early February.
The film office wouldn’t confirm or deny that the project was a “Breaking Bad” film.
But a source close to the project confirmed the production.
According to the logline, “Greenbrier” tracks the escape of a kidnapped man and his quest for freedom.
“We are happy to welcome ‘Greenbrier’ and Sony Studios to New Mexico,” said New Mexico State Film Office Director Nick Maniatis. “For years, we’ve built up the film industry in New Mexico and strengthened our film incentives; now, we’re seeing success after success for the film industry in our state.”
According to the N.M. Film Office, the production will employ approximately 300 N.M. crew members, 16 N.M. actors and approximately 450 N.M. background talent.
This is the first project for Vince Gilligan — who created “Breaking Bad” and co-created the spinoff, “Better Call Saul” — after signing a three-year deal with Sony Pictures Television in July.
The move to stay with Sony comes at a time when A-list showrunners are being courted by Netflix and other streaming services for production pacts.
Details on which characters will be returning from the TV series to the film have not been released.
The Emmy Award-winning series was set and filmed in Albuquerque for six years.
“Breaking Bad” is the story of Walter H. White, played by Bryan Cranston, a struggling high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with advanced lung cancer at the beginning of the series.
He turns to a life of crime, producing and selling methamphetamine with a former student, Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, with the aim of securing his family’s financial future before he dies.
The series is a cultural juggernaut — 10 years after it aired its first episode.
The New Mexico film industry and Sony Pictures Television have worked together on both “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.”