Darabont Fired from "The Walking Dead"

Jason Meehan

It's been a few weeks since we first we reported on AMC's startling announcement; that the mastermind behind the network's most talked about series was leaving the project. While cast and crew scramble to continue production on season two of "The Walking Dead" reports are starting to surface that the director/producer did not step down willingly, he was fired by the network.

This seems to clear some of the confusion about why series creator Frank Darabont was at SDCC promoting his show just days before being ousted. It also paints the cable channel in a very sinister light. Stories are emerging of a cast meeting that took place with AMC executives on location in Atlanta where the crew was informed of the dismissal. "This isn't working," was all that was said to explain the cable channel's decision.

Other reports indicate that the network has been very aggressive in discouraging the crew from making any comments. So far Darabont and the cast have maintained a strict silence about this news and the severe impact it could have on future success for the show, apparently out of fear for their own futures on the series.

So why did AMC toss the man responsible for the highest rated show on their network? All indications point to huge budget cuts that Darabont was adamantly against. The second round of "The Walking Dead", which is to have twice as many episodes, is being made using less than was spent to create the shorter premiere season.

What is to become of the drama that has single handedly brought zombies out of the horror genre and into the main stream? For starters we may hear more and see less of the undead just to save some bucks on makeup. Severed fingers are still crossed, but if the show falters, AMC will have a tidal wave of angry fans turning off their HDTV's (and cheering Darabont's name.)

Darabont Walking Away From The Walking Dead?

Jason Meehan

Just days after the Season 2 trailer for AMC's "The Walking Dead" was unveiled to tremendous fanfare at SDCC, helmsman Frank Darabont has announced his departure from the show. 

Rumors and speculation abound as to the reasons for the sudden departure, and fans have begun voicing overwhelming concern for the future of the hit TV  show. AMC hasn't made any official statements as to whether Darabont is walking away from the show entirely, nor have they announced a successor to fill his seemingly massive shoes.

This news follows a winter plagued with differences between producer and writing staff, and reports that the director was having a hard time adjusting to the grueling schedule of television. For many viewers Darabont's cinematic style is what breathed life into the zombie drama, proving that the genre could captivate not just horror fans but everyone with a story about humanity and survival.

We're sort of speechless. AMC has said that production is continuing as scheduled, so for now we'll have to hold our breath, cross our severed fingers and hope that the show does go on as brilliant as before. Season 2 of "The Walking Dead" is scheduled to premiere October 16th.

First "The Walking Dead' Season 2 Teaser Clip Released

David Brown

With the first season of "The Walking Dead" AMC showed us that zombies could become a prime marketing product for a tv show.  While the first season was cut to a short six episodes, season two promises to be a full 13.  AMC has been slowly releasing little tidbits to tide us over until the return of the show this October and this latest clip does not disappoint.  It is available below for your viewing pleasure:



After watching this clip it is hard to remain calm. Season two looks to take the adrenaline fueled plot and character to a place filled with just as much gore and as many guts.  Stay tuned to the site for even more clips and previews as we get them.

A First Look at Season 2 of The Walking Dead

David Brown

We have all been waiting for it and AMC has provided it. Here is your early look at the first day of shooting season 2 of The Walking Dead. Stay tuned to Zombies and Toys for updates on the progress of shooting and more.

On the Chopping Block

Todd Jepperson

According to several sources, the entire writing staff for The Walking Dead got the axe last week. I originally started out to report the news, and then came across an article on TVsquad.com.  In the article, the author quotes Robert Kirkman saying, “It's kind of unfortunate that it's being reported that our writing staff has been fired because that's not the case. ... It makes Frank look bad. I don't think Frank wants it out there that he's just firing people off of a successful show."


According to Kirkman, the show’s number two man, Charles “Chic” Eglee, hit the road after Frank Darabont decided he’d stick around for season two. Darabont originally planned to cover season one, and then move on to films leaving an open slot of Eglee to step in. When Darabont thought better of leaving such a big project, Eglee was upset and left.


The news that the entire season two will be written freelance is still rumor to this point, according to Kirkman. "It's a little premature to be nailing down. I don't know if it's going to be a freelance situation or if we're going to have writers in a writers' room," he said. "That's something that's being worked on now." That news shouldn’t be traumatic, however; because if what I’m finding is correct, Kirkman either wrote or co-wrote one episode, and Darabont wrote two, and co-wrote the rest.


It looks like all there is to do now is wait. We’ll find out in October what all of this really means.

An Early Review of The Walking Dead Series

David Brown

I was overjoyed to receive an advanced copy of the new series the Walking Dead from AMC and Director Frank Darabont. I have to be up front when I say this; this series is set to redefine the way that zombies interact with television. I will describe my happiness by retelling the first few minutes. In the beginning, we see the main character Rick walking amongst the burnt out and crashed remains of many cars as he happens upon an abandoned gas station. He is alone, or so he thinks until he hears shuffling footsteps. It is then that he gets on the ground and looks beneath cars to see the shambling legs as they approach a teddy bear. Hands reach down and pick up the bear to clutch it close. He then gets up to venture around the car to see a young girl in a robe shambling away. He calls to her checking to see if she needs help to which she turns around and we get the first glimpse of a zombie from The Walking Dead. I will go no further as what happens must be seen to believe.

Keep in mind the above description is the first few minutes. It is this sense of urgency and the fact that everything is told from the views of regular people. There are no super cops here, only a real man thrust into a situation that he has no comprehension of, or control over. As characters are introduced we see that there is much potential for the series. The casting here is spot on and really seems to get the right actors to portray the characters. Rick is thrust into the world of the zombie apocalypse after awakening from a coma as a result of injuries in a shootout. The story moves along at such a brisk pace that you cannot help but be glued to the screen as the introduction to everything plays out. I can give nothing but praise to this series.

The costumes and sets truly mirror those of the graphic novel and truly bring in not only fans of the series but zombie lovers, and drama lovers alike. This is a zombie series, but also includes enough drama as the human condition is examined. The makeup and zombie effects are in the spotlight here and truly bring so much here. Never before on television have zombies been given so much life. The makeup is discomforting as you see the ravaging effects of a virus such as this one. There are also many instances where you truly feel as scared, tense, and claustrophobic as the characters in the drama themselves. I don’t want to go into too many details of the show or its makeup and creature designs, but from the images we have already been shown, rest assured that this is one series that doesn’t disappoint.

Even though I have only had the chance to see one episode, I am happy to say that this is going to be a much needed revival for zombies in the mainstream. This will be the must watch show of the season on AMC. The actual premiere of the show will be Sunday October 31st at 10:00PM and the pilot is slated to run around 90 minutes on television. It will be interesting to see how the show plays out and where it goes from here. The pilot is so full of potential that one can only look on with anticipation as the series progresses. There will be action, there will be drama, there will be moments of sadness, and there will be Zombies. Make sure you do not miss this event as it is a great show that everyone will love.

The Walking Dead Already Shambling Into Second Season

AMC has already picked up a 13 episode second season of it's comic book adaptation, The Walking Dead!  This is before a single frame has even been shown on television!  Empire was able to bring us other great news about the upcoming second season.  For starters, it will begin filming in February.  Director, Frank Darabont, had much to say about bringing us the second season:

“It would be great not just to get out of the heat, but to present a different idea to the audience visually and tonally by having it be winter. There’s some really cool stuff that Kirkman did, where they find the one zombie that’s frozen to the ground. I’d never seen that before and that’s really cool.”

And who can forget Michonne?

“When she shows up – and boy, is she a character I can’t wait to get to – when she comes striding out of the wasteland like a Clint Eastwood f***ing spaghetti Western character cross-melded with some samurai movie, like the Baby Cart character with the f***ing sword, and there’s just a little drift of snow in the air. I would love to put that on film.”

I can honestly say that I have not been this excited for something zombie related.  It's going to take some serious effort to mess this one up.  And if we get stuck with an actor who stinks?  They get killed.  Because the comic has already proven that nobody is sacred.

Will AMC's "The Walking Dead" Zombies Run?

Frank Darabont is bringing us what may possibly be (and if not, should) the most anticipated zombies to grace our televisions. "The Walking Dead" is the gospel of zombie stories. Well, at least I think so. The point is, there is a lot riding on Darabont's ability to bring the fans what they want. Fans of the comic will be scrutinizing and no doubt new fans will be eagerly awaiting the verdict. One question on most everyone's mind is this: Will The Walking Dead's walking dead walk or will they run?

There's a great Q&A on the AMC site with Frank Darabont that I suggest you all go read. But to answer the question on all of your minds... well, let us allow Mr. Darabont to explain:

"There are the folks who just can't stand seeing zombies running. I'm kind of in that camp, but if you look at the very first zombie in Night - the one in the cemetery chasing Barbara, he gets up to a pretty good jog. I'm keying our zombie behavior off of that film: Whether they're in a very languid state or they're on the attack, they'll move no faster than that first zombie in Night of the Living Dead."