Breaking Bad actors Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul get statues at Albuquerque

The city of Albuquerque honoured Breaking Bad actors Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul by unveiling their statues at the Albuquerque Convention Centre. The two actors, who achieved legendary status with their portrayals of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman on the show, attended the event. Have a look at the statue here:

Sony Pictures Television, the producers of the famed TV series which ran from 2008 to 2013, donated the 500-pound statue. Trevor Grove, the sculptor, had first come to the notice of Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan when he had created a small statue of Cranston over a decade ago. Regarding the same, Gillian said, “It was so amazing that it just got me to thinking: What if Trevor could sculpt a life-sized version of Walter White in bronze, a medium new to him, and what if he could toss in Jesse Pinkman to boot, and then we donate to the two statues to the city of Albuquerque as a thank-you for your hospitality?”

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Cranston jokingly said that he was worried whether the statues would end up looking like Cristiano Ronaldo’s bust which was installed at Madeira Airport in 2017, and was subject to much criticism as fans believe it did not represent the Portuguese superstar. “There’s no preparation for saying you’re getting a statue. I’m just rather grateful that it’s indoors so that the pigeons won’t crap on our heads”, Cranston added.

Besides Cranston, Paul, and Gilligan, the event was also attended by Breaking Bad cast member Dean Norris. Rhea Seehorn, Michael Mando, and Patrick Fabian of Better Call Saul (Breaking Bad spinoff) fame were also in attendance.

While acknowledging that the characters of White and Pinkman are criminals and drug dealers, Gilligan said that the statues should serve as reminders of what powerful performers Cranston and Paul are. He also stated that the two lead characters should be seen as tragic ones, and their lives should serve as a cautionary tale for others.

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Notably, the first part of Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul’s sixth and final season was released on April 18, 2022, while the second part premiered on July 11. The two critically acclaimed shows made Albuquerque a household name throughout the world.