For fans of Better Call Saul, the iconic black and white Cinnabon scenes featuring Bob Odenkirk‘s character are now difficult to imagine now being shot anywhere else… however, co-creator Peter Gould has now revealed it was very nearly set in a Hot Topic!
We all know the scene, with Saul and Walt (Bryan Cranston) seeking their new lives from Ed’s (Robert Forster) vacuum repair shop. In it, Saul foreshadows the future by saying: “If I’m lucky, a month from now, best case scenario, I’m managing a Cinnabon in Omaha,” Saul shares.
This later became what life looked like for Saul/Jimmy’s new identity, Gene Takavic. However, it could have all gone very differently!
Gould recently took to Bluesky to post a script excerpt for Granite State which featured Gene shilling leather studded bracelets and pop culture t-shirts, rather than pastries. An early drafted had Saul originally stating that, “From here on out, I’m Mr. Low Profile — just another douchebag with a job and three pairs of Dockers. I mean, a month from now, best case scenario, I’m managing a Hot Topic in Omaha.”
I for one am kind of glad that didn’t happen, but what was the reason? According to Gould:
In fact, we found out that Hot Topic was carrying [Breaking Bad] stuff, and we didn’t want to make it look like a cheap promo. So Cinnabon it was! (And they had no idea about it until the episode aired).
A fan pointed out that Cinnabon was a much funnier choice, to which Gould replied: “Couldn’t agree more! And the Cinnabon folks were super-generous to us.”
Well, unexpected publicity – what’s not to love?
As a huge fan of Better Call Saul, I love that we’re still hearing new facts and stories about the series.
What do you think – could you have seen Gene working in a Hot Topic? Or is there anywhere else you’d have found more entertaining (like Build a Bear)? Comment below.
