Andrew Lincoln discusses the surprising premiere of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
The savage deed originates directly from the pages of the original comic book.
Amidst the anticipation surrounding The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live being touted as primarily a love story, one might have been misled into thinking that the latest spinoff series in the franchise would shy away from shocking brutality. However, such assumptions were swiftly shattered mere minutes into the inaugural episode.
The premiere of the series opened with Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes laboring for the Civic Republic Military, tasked with the grim duty of clearing out flaming walkers. Rick, held captive, was bound by his wrist to a soldier, rendering escape seemingly impossible. Yet, unbeknownst to the soldier, he was contending with a man who would go to extreme lengths for freedom — a fact Rick demonstrated by severing his own wrist to break free.
Rick's shocking act of self-mutilation, chopping off his own left hand while proclaiming "This is how" before swinging the ax, followed by cauterizing the wound with the flames of a dead zombie in an attempt to escape, was a brutal and futile endeavor as he was recaptured shortly after. This dramatic event marks a significant departure from the original Walking Dead comic book storyline.
In the comic, Rick loses his hand early on when it is chopped off by the Governor, portrayed on TV by David Morrissey. This occurs in issue 28, as a consequence of Rick's refusal to answer questions during interrogation. The television adaptation had the opportunity to mirror this event, potentially resulting in Rick losing his hand around season 3 of the series.
The decision to finally incorporate this significant change came from actor Andrew Lincoln himself, who portrayed Rick Grimes. Showrunner Scott M. Gimple explains that while he had toyed with the idea in various story iterations, it was Lincoln's insistence that ultimately pushed it forward. Lincoln's determination brought the idea "across the goal line," signaling a pivotal shift in the character's trajectory.
The star openly confesses to his guilt, a revelation hardly surprising given his prior advocacy for the move during the original Walking Dead series. Lincoln recalls, “I just bullied everybody into submission.” Despite facing skepticism, particularly from AMC, he remained steadfast in his conviction, stating, “And there were quite a lot of conversations, particularly with AMC, with people going, ‘Now Andy, we love the idea, but are you really sure about this?’ But I just thought: This is the time to do what the comic book did and honor that. I've been trying to pitch this for years, and everybody was just shouting me down.”
The timing of the decision was deemed crucial, driven by the character's unwavering determination. Fans are familiar with Rick Grimes' resolute "never quit" ethos. Lincoln emphasizes, “We had to explain why Rick had never returned. This is a guy that would do anything to return, so what is the most extraordinary act or effort that he would put himself through in order to try and get back to his beloved?”
Addressing the necessity of confronting extreme actions, such as self-mutilation, The Walking Dead's showrunner, Gimple, underscores the significance of initiating such themes early on in the story. He highlights the character of Rick Grimes, emphasizing his resilience and the existential questions raised when even his utmost efforts fail to yield success. Gimple's decision to tackle this issue from the outset serves to establish the depth of the protagonist's determination and the harsh realities of the world he inhabits.
Reflecting on the adaptation from the comic book series, where Rick's hand was severed, creator Robert Kirkman expressed regrets due to the narrative constraints it imposed. However, Gimple asserts the television adaptation necessitates a proactive approach to overcome such challenges. Despite potential obstacles, he believes the depiction of such dramatic events is integral to capturing the essence of the source material and immersing viewers in the unpredictable nature of the post-apocalyptic universe.
Acknowledging the impact of the original comic book moment, Gimple contends that its inclusion was paramount in setting the tone for the series, illustrating the extreme circumstances characters must navigate. Despite any narrative complications it may introduce, he maintains that witnessing such pivotal moments is crucial for readers and viewers alike in comprehending the unforgiving world depicted in The Walking Dead.
With the introduction of these themes, the tone for the forthcoming narrative of The Ones Who Live is firmly established, promising further exploration of the complexities and challenges inherent in survival amidst a dystopian landscape.
_updates.webp)
0 Comments