Award-Winning Creator Gilligan Himself Shares His Science Fiction Influences Behind The Upcoming Series Titled Pluribus
Following an extended hiatus away from the science fiction genre, the celebrated showrunner is making a return back to where he began. Launching his career with The Iconic X-Files, in which he penned three dozen installments, and also crafting the screenplay for Will Smith’s film Hancock, the creator has spent recent years focused on the world from Breaking Bad. This fall, with his latest streaming project Pluribus, he’s coming back home to the genre that launched his career.
A Mysterious Premise with Vague Teasers
The plot and premise for Pluribus are top secret. The trailers and previews are tantalizingly vague. For example, a brief scene shows a female character alone at work after hours nonchalantly taking donuts from a box labeled “Help yourself!” and licking them before returning the treats neatly back in its place. Reviewers cannot reveal to say anything regarding the show’s explosive first episode, beyond the fact the story kicks off when today’s society changes in a significant way.
The Creator’s Sci-Fi Watchlist
Since specifics on the story or development were off-limits, the showrunner was asked an innocuous question: Which additional science fiction series or movies ought viewers see to get ready before Pluribus?
“Each of the 1956 and 1978 adaptations from Body Snatchers; that’s an excellent touchstone,” Gilligan explains. “Twilight Zone, that's always my favorite. The Thing, John Carpenter's version. I like each one, though I particularly love the John Carpenter version.”
A Love Letter for Sci-Fi Enthusiasts
For those who are an admirer of science fiction or scary movies, you will probably recognize the stories inspiring Pluribus. The show’s influences aren’t exactly understated — and that’s exactly the idea. The creator says his aim with the new show was to riff on sci-fi tropes.
“My thought process involved of all the sci-fi clichés and horror conventions I could throw into the series, and then flip all of those tropes onto their head,” Gilligan adds. “ That was what tickled me.”
In other words: Pluribus serves as a science fiction series aimed at sci-fi fans. Therefore, if you approach to it as a Breaking Bad devotee who isn’t typically into sci-fi, it’s wise to complete some preparation in advance. Gilligan has now offered the curriculum.
Pluribus premieres Nov. 7 on Apple TV.
