The Walking Dead: Wait, Is Rick NOT Dying After All?
His relationship with the show is far from over.
At San Diego Comic-Con, Andrew Lincoln finally confirmed what fans have long thought to be true: Season 9 will feature his final episodes on The Walking Dead. The series lead since the pilot, Lincoln's departure will be the biggest change the show has made from the source material, with the writers having a mere six episodes to wrap up an arc that has been developing for over eight years now.
However, while many assumed the actor's departure would mean that Rick Grimes would be yet another casualty in the war against the walkers, the way Lincoln was talking at the event has suggested his fate might not be so final. While he did indeed confirm that he would be leaving after the upcoming season, he clarified that his relationship with the character was "far from over". Likewise, when teasing whether or not Rick will die, he said:
"So, yes, there is that way, and then there is obviously the other way which we've done quite a lot. Obviously, I'm not going to tell you which way. I mean, I prefer the Lennie James of it all, but I think what we have in store this season is truly remarkable and I'm very, very proud of the work that we've done."
Referring to the way Lennie James left The Walking Dead not through his character dying, but in becoming the lead of its sister show Fear The Walking Dead, it's being speculated that Rick might exit in a way that's similarly ambiguous, either leaving the door open for a return in the future, or to lead another spinoff show. It's clear AMC are hellbent on creating a Walking Dead cinematic universe of sorts, and it's difficult to see that working without Lincoln involved in some capacity.
How do you think Lincoln's exit should be handled? Share your thoughts down in the comments.