Andrew Lincoln to Return for ‘The Walking Dead’ Film Series
SPOILER ALERT! The following article contains spoilers from season 9 of The Walking Dead. Read on only if you are current with the season.
On Sunday’s episode of The Walking Dead titled What Comes After, we witnessed the end of an era. The leader of the series, Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln, took his final bow in a tense and emotional episode, but his story is far from over.
At the end of the episode, it seems that Rick sacrifices himself for the survival of his family. An injured Rick is seen standing on a bridge about to overtaken by walkers. While Michonne, Daryl, Maggie, and the others rush to his aid, Rick sees a crate of dynamite fall and bust open. It’s then that he realizes he can blow up the bridge, the walkers and himself to save his group. Rick fires one last shot and the bridge explodes. It seems that he has sacrificed himself, but we find that he is still alive, but far from being well, in Jadis’s care. Her mysterious helicopters have scooped him up and are taking him somewhere to hopefully recuperate.
While that may have been Rick Grimes’ final episode of The Walking Dead, Chief Content Officer Scott Gimple has confirmed that Andrew Lincoln will be back in the role in a series of Walking Dead movies for AMC. Gimple confirmed the news Sunday night on Talking Dead and also spoke with Entertainment Weekly about his plans. Gimple told EW:
[row]”It is really important for the audience to know that we are going to be continuing to tell the story of Rick Grimes in these AMC Studios original films. We don’t want this thing to be like, “Oh, well, he’ll be back on the show any moment now.” We are telling Rick’s story in another medium, and it’s going to be these AMC Studios original films. They’re going to be on AMC, most probably. They’re centered around Rick Grimes. We’re going to tell the story of what happens after that helicopter flight, and these are going to be big, epic entertainments. Each are quality films. That’s what’s been happening in the industry. We’ve seen Netflix make these, basically, studio films for people to watch in their homes, and we’re going to be doing the same sort of thing here.”[/row]
In the same interview, Gimple confirms that he is extremely hard at work on the first film in the series and they are anticipating a trilogy of films with Rick Grimes. Additionally, with Jadis (played by Pollyanna McIntosh) being on the helicopter with Rick, she will also be a part of the film series.
Lincoln’s comments at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con finally make sense. He said, “This will be my last season playing the part of Rick Grimes. I love this show. It means everything to me. I love the people who make this show. I’m particularly fond of the people who watch this show,” before adding, “My relationship with Rick Grimes is far from over.”
While Rick Grimes’ time on The Walking Dead series has ended, we’re excited to see his story continue in the upcoming series of films.
What do you think about Scott Gimples announcement that Rick Grimes will live on in The Walking Dead films? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
A karaoke obsessed, craft beer enthusiast and lover of all things pop culture, Denise enjoys all facets of entertainment from Broadway to box office blockbusters. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, concerts (lots and lots of concerts), volunteering, reading and playing with her rescue kitten, Samantha (who rescued who, right?).
