In the grim and haunting world of “The Walking Dead,” fans have endured heart-wrenching losses as beloved characters met their untimely ends. However, it turns out that one of the co-creators of the original comic books, Robert Kirkman, had even more drastic plans in mind for the show’s protagonist, Rick Grimes.
During the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con, Kirkman made a shocking revelation, admitting that in his younger and more audacious days, he was eager to see the demise of Rick Grimes on the television adaptation of “The Walking Dead.” He fantasized about making sudden and shocking changes, even though the rest of the writing team would often rein in his wild ideas.
Reflecting on those early days, Kirkman confessed, “With ‘The Walking Dead,’ I was much younger and much more reckless. I was an absolute lunatic. I would get in the writers’ room and be like, ‘Kill Rick Grimes today! I don’t care! It’ll be funny! People will freak out, and it’ll be fun!’ The writers were like, ‘Robert, you’re crazy. We can’t do that.’ But any time there were big changes in ‘The Walking Dead,’ that’s what excited me.”
In the original comic book series, which debuted nearly two decades ago, Rick Grimes played a central role in the nightmarish post-apocalyptic world. His journey and struggles captivated readers, but his fate was eventually sealed. In issue No. 191 titled “The Last Stand,” Rick faces mortal danger when he is shot by Sebastian. The story continues in issue No. 192, “Aftermath,” where Rick meets his demise.
Interestingly, Kirkman’s desire to kill off Rick Grimes on the television adaptation never came to fruition during the show’s original run. Andrew Lincoln, who portrayed Rick Grimes, departed the series in Season 9, Episode 5, “What Comes After.” Kirkman expressed some disappointment over the character’s departure but also showed empathy towards the actor, whom he had known and admired for years.
Despite Lincoln’s exit, fans will soon have the chance to reunite with Rick Grimes in the upcoming spin-off titled “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.” Set to premiere in 2024 on AMC and AMC+, the series promises to delve deeper into the post-apocalyptic world, and reunite audiences with beloved characters like Rick and Michonne, portrayed by Danai Gurira.
As fans eagerly anticipate the new spin-off, it’s evident that “The Walking Dead” has left an indelible mark on pop culture, and its creator’s daring and imaginative storytelling will be remembered for years to come.
