The Walking Dead made its annual trek to SDCC, and this time they confirmed some devastating news after dropping their extended trailer. Take a look here!
You’ve heard it by now, Andrew Lincoln will be leaving The Walking Dead after this season. In fact, he decided to address his departure early in the panel Friday, causing a collective gasp from the audience.
Now, his leaving hasn’t really been a secret. In fact, in May spoilers sites were already leaking script pages from what was called his death scene, and Collinder exclusively reported that Lincoln wouldn’t return after season nine. We shared our thoughts on it as well after the story broke.
It’s certainly a different feeling hearing it from the source, though.
“I promise not to cry. I’ve done enough crying on screen.”
Remembering the moment when Andy Lincoln confirmed this would be his last season playing Rick Grimes on #TWD… #SDCC2018 pic.twitter.com/IrWMkI9ote
— We So Nerdy (@WeSoNerdy) July 26, 2018
“My relationship with Mr. Grimes is far from over, and a sort of large part of me will always be a machete wielding, stetson wearing, zombie slaying, sheriff’s deputy from London, England.”
Are you emotional? I was, but I’m processing it. On top of Rick’s departure, it looks like Maggie will be talking with Negan this season. She’ll obviously never forgive Negan for what he did to Glenn, and I wonder if she’s looking for a way to kill him like Rick should have in the season eight finale.
There’s an intense scene in the trailer as well where Maggie confronts Rick about him saying that he was going to follow her after the war with Negan ended, but he never did. I’m really looking forward to those two characters hashing out everything that’s built up between them.
As you can imagine, most of the press conference that followed the panel, focused on Lincoln’s leaving and how the other characters will deal with that loss.
There was also some interest in whether Caryl would finally happen, especially given the closeness of the Daryl and Carol in the trailer. Norman Reedus addressed the question, and didn’t necessarily rule it out, but I feel like any move for romance in that friendship would seem like a gimmick at this point.
The two of those characters are so similar. They go on a journey that’s not about them. They interact with each other, but it kind of goes down a rabbit hole. When one of those characters goes to ask a favor, the other character needs the favor, too. They’re two magnets. They always connect. It’s a complicated story. One of the episode this year has a really sweet, heartfelt moment. It’s one of my favorites in the show. Those two will forever have each other’s backs, and I’m glad we didn’t do an episode early on where we make out behind the bushes, you know what I mean? I think we played that the right way, and we got a lot of heat in the beginning, but I’m glad we played it this way and it’s a natural journey.
ANDY: That scene in the pilot is one of my favorite scenes with the two of you.
Showrunner, Angela Kang, answered some questions about the direction of the series as well, and fans will be happen to know that we’re going back to our roots in a lot of ways. Not only is the world crumbling and the earth is taking everything back, but the show’s focus will turn inward to personal relationships as the characters work through their issues.
Reedus said at one point that it’s a very female driven season, so there’s that to look forward to! It’s been a long time coming that the ladies of The Walking Dead stepped to center stage. Beyond that, Lincoln and Reedus agree that episode four is probably their favorite, maybe of the series, so we can assume that all the Rick/Daryl issues will come to head because they both appeared emotional at the thought of it.
Based on all the information given by Lincoln (including the quote below), I think it’s safe to say that he’s already filmed all his scenes for Rick, and this was a preemptive measure so that spoiler sites don’t speculate on his death or why he’s not on set until filming ends in November. My best guess is that Rick will be gone before the midseason finale of season nine.
“I got to do scenes with all my favorites this season. As a farewell, it was the greatest present I got.”
As you watch the trailer below, do you think that they’re trying to build up new fan favorites with all the casting additions so that this story will live on after the originals exit? Remember, not only is The Walking Dead losing its protagonist Rick Grimes, but Lauren Cohan, a series regular since season two, will be cutting down her screen time to star in an ABC series, Whiskey Cavalier.
Watch the trailer and listen to the complete press conference below!
Season nine of The Walking Dead premieres October 7th at 9/8c on AMC.
