AMC TV greenlights ‘The Walking Dead’ Pilot
Last year it was announced that Robert Kirkman’s Image comic‘The Walking Dead’ had been optioned by AMC to be turned into a TV Series. This was great news for many. As an ongoing series on the cable network, it won’t be bound by the same FCC constrictions as the broadcast networks. This should hopefully lead to an authentic adaptation of what our friend Chris at Comics212 (and organizer of TCAF) says was one of the past decades best genre comics.
On Wednesday the show took one more shamble closer to actually getting made, when Variety reported that AMC had greenlit a pilot. Frank Darabont, director of the ‘Shawshank Redemption’, wrote the adaptation and is onboard to direct, and while filming a pilot still doesn’t guarantee that the series will be made, today’s news mean that the chances of it happening have increased markedly. As of yet no casting announcements have been made – I do hope they go for a cast of total unknowns.
To see Image Comics’ Press release
Variety reported today that Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard’s ongoing tale of survival horror in a post-apocalyptic world, THE WALKING DEAD, has been greenlit as a pilot by AMC.
“THE WALKING DEAD’s road to the small screen has been a long one, but so far it’s looking like the best of all worlds,” creator and writer Robert Kirkman said. “Given AMC’s track record with shows like ‘Madmen’ and ‘Breaking Bad,’ combined with Frank Darabont writing and directing, I couldn’t possibly be more excited for this to come together. Having the pilot greenlit is a huge leap forward to this becoming a reality.”
THE WALKING DEAD has been published by Image Comics since 2003, with the series’ 69th issue due in stores next week. Current plans are for the AMC series to closely adapt the storylines presented in the monthly comics.
In addition to the ongoing com ics series, there are 11 trade paperbacks currently in print, collecting issues 1-66, along with a series of five hardcovers covering #1-60. The first 48 issues have also been collected in two limited edition slipcased hardcovers and a softcover compendium. Across are formats the series remains a sales juggernaut with the title charting on the New York Times’ graphic novels bestsellers list numerous times.
“Since its debut in October 2003, THE WALKING DEAD has been nothing short of unstoppable,” said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. “Over the last five years, sales on both the single issues and the trade paperback and hardcover collections have gone from strength to strength, so it’s no surprise that THE WALKING DEAD is now poised for success on TV. Everyone at Image is very excited to see this project come to light.”
THE WALKING DEAD #69, a 32-page black and white comic priced at $2.99, will be on sale at finer comic book stores everywhere January 27.
Is it any surprise that I can’t wait for this to come out?
The Walking Dead is the one comic that I’ve followed regularly over the past few years.
Agreed, Walking Dead is good stuff. I just hope they don;t cheap out with some lame formulaic “somethingsomethingsomethingZOMBIESsomethingsomethingsomething” storytelling mechanic.
I don’t care if they go with unknowns or not, as long as they cast genuinely talented actors. (For some reason Nathan Fillion leaps to mind.)
If the overall quality of other AMC shows is any indication (Mad Men and Breaking Bad), then we have reason to hope it’ll be good. I’m not a fan of the former, but the latter is an awesome show.
Hell, if TWD is only a quarter as good as The Dead Set UK mini series, then it’s going to be great. 🙂
Though I could see Fillion doing it, I think Castle has him working regularly.
As Rick Nathan looks the part, but I don’t know, Rick seems kind of humourless thoughout the comic, so I am not sure if Fillion’s personality (at least the one from Firefly and Castle) would fit, oh yes then there is the issue of him on Castle.
I do hope overall that actually they might add a little more humour to the story as a whole, because sometines TWD is just too grim
If the overall quality of other AMC shows is any indication (Mad Men and Breaking Bad), then we have reason to hope it’ll be good. I’m not a fan of the former, but the latter is an awesome show.
The latest issue (#70) letters section has some interesting details about the people involved in the development of the pilot.
Frank Darabont has written the script and will be directing the pilot. Robert Kirkman states that he has read the script, and he likes it. I think Mr. Darabont’s credits are solid, but don’t exactly guarantee a great final product. He’s competent, and capable of successfully translating this print series into a TV show, but I’d hedge my bet on expecting a really fantastic translation.
Also, this is just a pilot, and the mechanics that go into a network board approval are beyond my abilities to fathom as a mere viewer.
But, seriously, a show set during, and in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. I’m ready to set my PVR right now.
That reminds me …I need to get issue 70 ! I wonder when they will announce the cast….after see the crazies I think Timothy Olyphant would be a good Rick
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