Zombie stories almost always have the same end game: Either humanity finds a cure, or everyone dies. In today’s Walking Dead panel at San Diego Comic-Con, franchise creator Robert Kirkman said definitely his show will never, ever, look for a solution to the undead apocalypse. (Looks like everyone dying is still on the table, though.)
Image: AMC via YouTube
“No,” showrunner Scott Gimple said, point blank, when asked if he show would ever explore finding a cure to the zombie virus. He explained that this was never a show about science, but regular people and their struggle to survive. “To try and solve [the zombie plague] would make for a boring show,” he explained. He also swore the show would never introduce a character who was immune to the virus, either. It’s all about survival.
That was just one of the interesting things that discussed in the Comic-Con panel which, as usual, took place in the massive Hall H. The biggest draw was of course the new trailer, which you can watch at the link:
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2017/07/what-the-hell-does-the-end-of-this-walking-dead-season-eight-trailer-mean/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/walkingdead.jpg” title=”What The Hell Does The End Of This Walking Dead Season Eight Trailer Mean?” excerpt=”Video: Given that the war between Rick and Negan had just begun in last season’s finale, we were expecting The Walking Dead‘s first season eight footage would be epic. It definitely is, but it’s the trailer’s very unexpected final shot that has us scratching our head about what it means. And you can watch it and be equally baffled here.”]
Gimple began the panel by saying a few words about John Bernecker, a stuntman who died on the set of the show recently. Gimple and frequent director Greg Nicotero also had some heartfelt thoughts about George Romero, director of Night of the Living Dead and the creator of modern zombie entertainment, who also passed away recently. Kirkman and Nicotero explained that no one on the stage would be there if it wasn’t for him and his landmark films. Nicotero followed that with a story of bringing filmmakers Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez to the premiere of a Romero movie. Before the film, the five of them went to the locations where Romero shot Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead and took pictures. When they told Romero about their tour, he told them to “grow up”.
That kind of humour was all over the panel, too; for example, Andrew Lincoln doesn’t get the internet’s obsession with the way he says “Carl”. “I don’t watch the show,” he said. “Is it because it sounds like ‘Coral’?” Good call, Andy.
But most the panel’s best moments were from Jeffrey Dean Morgan. He frequently took offence if anyone disparaged Negan or referred to Negan as a bad guy. He said he loves the character, thinks the character respects all the characters in the main cast, and that his sense of humour is his best attribute. What he hates most about him, though, is the fact he wears a leather jacket in 100 degree southern heat.
There were other teases for the future of the show as well. When asked if the show would ever go to different places or explore other areas of the country/world, Gimple said “it is entirely possible that could happen” and that “it’s something we want to see”. The cast all said they’d like it to be somewhere it’s not quite so hot when they film and Khary Payton, who plays King Ezekiel on the show, suggested at the very least, the show should explore what Washington DC looks like, since the characters are currently living relatively close to it.
And finally, Gimple confirmed that the upcoming eighth season will introduce some major new characters but refused to say whom. They did say how proud they were of eight years on the show and asked the crowd if they’d still be coming to their Comic-Con panels in eight years time. Everyone cheered yes. But that prompted Lincoln to ask how many of the actors will be back in eight years. “Very few of you,” said Gimple.