🔗 Share this article Award-Winning Creator Gilligan Himself Reveals the Sci-Fi Influences For His Upcoming Series Titled Pluribus Following a long break from the science fiction genre, Vince Gilligan is staging a return back to where he began. Starting out with The X-Files Series, where he wrote three dozen installments, plus even crafting the script behind Will Smith’s film Hancock, the creator has spent recent years focused on the universe from Breaking Bad. Now, via his new streaming project Pluribus, he returns full circle toward the genre which launched his journey. A Secretive Plot with Cryptic Teasers The plot and concept of Pluribus remain top secret. Promotional clips and previews have all been intentionally ambiguous. In one, a brief scene depicts a woman by herself at work at night nonchalantly taking donuts from a box labeled “Help yourself!” and licking them before returning them carefully back in the box. Reviewers cannot reveal to disclose anything about the series’ explosive first episode, except the fact the story begins as today’s society transforms dramatically. The Creator’s Sci-Fi Recommendations Because details about the story or development were off-limits, the showrunner fielded an innocuous inquiry: What additional science fiction series or films should viewers watch to prepare for Pluribus? “Both the original and the remake adaptations from Invasion of the Body Snatchers; that's a good touchstone,” he states. “Twilight Zone, that’s forever my favorite. The Thing, the John Carpenter film. I enjoy each one, though I especially like the John Carpenter version.” A Love Letter for Science Fiction Enthusiasts If you’re a fan of science fiction or scary movies, you’ll likely identify the tales that influenced Pluribus. Its inspirations aren’t exactly subtle — and that’s the point. Gilligan says his aim for 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 incorporate into this show, and then flip all of those tropes upside down,” he adds. “ That was what tickled me.” Put simply: Pluribus serves as a sci-fi show for genre lovers. Therefore, if you approach the show being a Breaking Bad devotee who’s never been much for sci-fi, it’s wise to do some preparation beforehand. Gilligan has now offered the essential watchlist. Pluribus premieres Nov. 7 on Apple TV+.