Metástasis (meaning "metastasis" in Spanish) is a Colombian telenovela series, a Spanish language remake of the American crime drama Breaking Bad that transposes the events of the original from the United States to Colombia.[2] It follows the storyline for all five seasons of Breaking Bad, with alterations to its pacing, visual style, and subplot elements.
| Metástasis | |
|---|---|
 Promotional image | |
| Genre | Crime drama Telenovela |
| Based on | Breaking Bad by Vince Gilligan |
| Directed by |
|
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | Colombia |
| Original language | Colombian Spanish |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 62 |
| Production | |
| Production locations | Bogotá, Colombia and surroundings[1] |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | June 8 – September 18, 2014 |
| Related | |
| Breaking Bad | |
The series premiered on June 8, 2014 until September 18, 2014, airing a total of 62 episodes.[3][4] It has been broadcast in Chile, Venezuela, Peru, the United States, Costa Rica and Mexico, among other countries, by Fox Latin America.[5]
Plot
editWalter Blanco is a frustrated high school chemistry teacher, married to his unexpectedly-pregnant wife Cielo Blanco, and father of his disabled son Walter Blanco Jr. Walter also works in a car wash in the afternoons. When he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he wonders what will happen to his family when he dies.
Witnessing a raid by the Anti-Narcotics Police organized by his brother-in-law Henry Navarro, Walter recognizes a former student of his: José Miguel Rosas, whom he contacts to manufacture and sell methamphetamine and thus ensure the economic well-being of his family. But the approach to the world of drugs and dealing with traffickers and mobsters contaminates Walter's mind, making him gradually abandon his straight and predictable personality to become someone without too many scruples when it comes to getting what he wants.
Production
editThe idea for a Spanish remake of Breaking Bad was originally conceived due to how cable television is not common in Latin America.[6] The episodes were individually shot in an average of two and a half days, compared to eight for its American counterpart.
Some changes were made to adapt aspects of Breaking Bad's American elements to Metástasis' Colombian setting. The outdoor scenes of Metástasis were shot in Bogotá, which has a colder and more mountainous environment compared to the deserts surrounding Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pest exterminators are uncommon in the region, so the main characters pose as demolition experts in the latter half of the fifth season. Saúl Bueno (the show's equivalent of Saul Goodman) demonstrates his legal services on a television talk show rather than through commercials, as legal services cannot be advertised in Colombia.[3] The iconic recreational vehicle which Jesse and Walter use to cook meth is replaced by a school bus, as RVs are rare in Latin America.[6]
Cast
edit- Diego Trujillo – Walter Blanco
- Roberto Urbina [es] – José Miguel Rosas
- Sandra Reyes – Cielo Blanco
- Julián Arango – Henry Navarro[7]
- Luis Eduardo Arango [es] – Saúl Bueno[8]
- Diego Garzón – Walter Blanco Jr.
- Manuel Gómez – Gustavo Cortéz
- Frank Ramírez – Héctor Salamanca
- Damián Alcázar – Tuco Salamanca[1]
Distribution
editIn Mexico, Televisa's Channel 5 broadcast the series Monday through Friday at midnight;[9] in the United States, the series aired on UniMás, with a debut simulcast on UniMás, Univision, and Galavisión on Sunday, June 8, 2014.[10]
Series overview
edit| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | ||
| 1 | 7 | June 8, 2014 | June 18, 2014 |
| 2 | 13 | June 23, 2014 | July 9, 2014 |
| 3 | 13 | July 10, 2014 | July 27, 2014 |
| 4 | 13 | July 28, 2014 | August 19, 2014 |
| 5 | 16 | August 20, 2014 | September 18, 2014 |
Reception
editVince Gilligan, the original creator of Breaking Bad, praised Metástasis' creators for being able to create the original series' entire runtime much faster and on a smaller budget.[3]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | India Catalina Awards | Best antagonistic actor of telenovela or series[11] | Frank Ramirez | Won |
| TvyNovelas Awards | Best Supporting Actor in a Series[12] | Julian Arango | Nominated | |
| Diego Garzón | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b David Redondo (2013-10-03). "'Metástasis', la versión latina de 'Breaking Bad'" ["Metástasis, the Latin version of "Breaking Bad""]. Cadena Ser (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2021-01-30. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ "Breaking Bad lives on in Colombian remake Metástasis". the Guardian. 2013-10-07. Archived from the original on 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
- ^ a b c Levin, Gary (June 3, 2014). "'Breaking Bad' doesn't get lost in Spanish translation". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ Jue, Teresa (September 17, 2014). "Spanish-language 'Breaking Bad,' 'Metastasis,' has series finale". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ Laura Rojas (2013-10-31). "Detalles exclusivos de Metástasis, la adaptación de Breaking Bad" [Exclusive details about Metástasis, the adaptation of Breaking Bad]. Enter.co (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
- ^ a b Roxborough, Scott (October 2, 2013). "Meet Walter Blanco: Breaking Bad Gets Spanish-language Version". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- ^ O'Connell, Michael (May 13, 2013). "Univision and Sony Firm Up Plans for a Breaking Bad Spanish-language Remake". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
- ^ Bennett, Laura (February 7, 2014). "The Amazing World of Breaking Bad en Español". New Statesman. Progressive Media International. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ^ "Metástasis". Canal 5. Archived from the original on 2022-03-12. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
- ^ ""Metástasis" – the Latin American Adaptation of "Breaking Bad" - to Debut with Simulcast on Univision, UniMás and Galavisión". Business Wire (Press release). 19 May 2014. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ @ElUniversalCtg (2016-03-05). "Y los ganadores de los premios India Catalina 2016 son..." [Y los ganadores de los premios India Catalina 2016 son...]. Eluniversal.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ^ Tvynovelas (2016-02-26). "Estos son los nominados a los Premios TVyNovelas 2016" [These are the nominees for the TVyNovelas 2016 Awards]. tvynovelas.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2016-02-26.[permanent dead link]