Two months ago it was rumored that Andrew Lincoln is leaving the “Walking Dead” and now Robert Kirkman, the creator of the series, has confirmed Lincoln’s exit. While giving an interview to IMDB, the comic creator was asked by is the upcoming season would be Lincoln’s last and in reply the series executive producer that it is looking this way.
Kirkman further said that Lincoln cares a lot about his fans and he has a passion to do something deeper and special. But he said that they have planned something big for him and for anyone who loves Lincoln and “The Walking Dead” would not want to spoil the story.
A couple of months ago when Lincoln’s exit rumors caught fire, AMC declined to comment but there will be questions for the sudden departure of the star on Friday when show’s Comic-Con panel will take place. Will they answer the questions, that’s another discussion.
While giving an interview to EW about the upcoming 9th season, Angela Kang, the executive producer of the series said that this time fans will see all the team working with unity. There will be some changes as well and the way the cast treated each other in the past will change, she added. Kang further said that there will be a change in Rick’s vision as well and people will also notice some cracks.
Andrew Lincoln is with the series since the season 1 and the 9th season of the series will return to AMC this October. While speaking publically first time about Lincoln’s exit, Kirkman said that even if he departs, the role of Rick Grimes will remain pretty much active but at the end of the day it’s all about Andrew.
He further said that Andrew is someone which he knows from a decade and the work he has put in can’t be forgotten. No one before talked about the exit of Lincoln among AMC team. A convention is about to hold this Friday where Lincoln and many other “Walking Dead” superstars will appear. But no one knows either the departure of Lincoln would be an unnoted elephant in the room or the biggest point of discussion.
While speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Kang didn’t confirm Lincoln’s departure but instead provides an arc of his role in the upcoming season. She further said that Rick will open the series in a quiet peaceful place. At the end of the last season, Rick made an unexpected decision of letting Negan go and the audience will see the aftereffects of that.
The abrasion of losing his son Carl is still haunting him, she added and with the passage of time, he will be able to forget that as well. In the coming season, we all will see Rick converting that pain into something positive. The story does not end here for him as he will face plenty of challenges along the way. Kang further said that she is eager to know how the audience will respond to see the leadership of Rick.
According to rumors, Norman Reedus is set to take over Andrew Lincoln as the leading role in Walking Dead. The star has already in negotiations to sign a hefty $20 million deal. On Kirkman’s remarks, AMC has not made any comment yet.
According to rumors, Jon Bernthal, the former series actor is expected to return to the show for just one episode just to say goodbye to Lincoln’s Rick Grimes. The producers of the series have already started to prepare themselves for life after Andrew and the have short-listed some characters from the comic book of Kirkman and some of those names include Connie, Yumiko, and Luke.