Over time, Vince Gilligan has built a reputation for being one of the most talented show runners in Hollywood. From his work on Better Call Saul to Breaking Bad, Gilligan has earned the respect of his peers by creating great shows. Today, Gilligan locked in with his longtime partner, Sony TV, for another three years. Gilligan, who has been with the company for eleven years, decided to stay put after receiving a number of offers from different networks and production companies. The deal is reportedly three years and just under $50 million. While it’s a steep price to pay for one person, the retention of a show runner of Gilligan’s caliber is a big win for Sony in an age when big stars are signing deals with Apple and Netflix.
SPT President, Jeff Frost, said, “Vince is a cornerstone of the success of Sony Pictures Television and could not be a more important member of the Sony family. He is a phenomenal talent and a true friend.” Gilligan echoed Frost’s statements by saying, “Tony [Vinciquerra, Sony CEO], Mike [Hopkins, Sony chairman], Jeff, Chris, Jason and the entire Sony team have been amazing to work with. That collaborative partnership has a great deal to do with the success we have enjoyed together.”
The announcement comes just weeks before Better Call Saul’s fourth season premieres in August. In the meantime, Gilligan will appear Comic-Con for a panel with Better Call Saul and a ten year reunion for Breaking Bad. In the future, Gilligan will continue to work on Better Call Saul and finish up his limited Jim Jones series for HBO.