Paleyfest 2011: Update on The Walking Dead

Debi Moore |

Mar 5, 2011

One of the advantages of living in Southern California is the ability to attend the annual Paleyfest at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, and Andrew K. just reported in with news from tonight’s opening event: “The Walking Dead”.

In attendance were Frank Darabont, Writer/Director/Executive Producer; Gale Anne Hurd, Executive Producer; Robert Kirkman, Executive Producer/Creator of the Comic Book; Andrew Lincoln, “Rick Grimes”; Sarah Wayne Callies, “Lori Grimes”; Jon Bernthal, “Shane Walsh”; Laurie Holden, “Andrea“; Steven Yeun, “Glenn”; and Emma Bell, “Amy.

Here are the highlights:

Darabont and Kirkman have been in the writers’ room for one week getting started on Season Two.

Darabont clarified they are working on what to do next with Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker), Morgan (Lennie James), and his son Duane (Adrian Kali Turner).

Merle will NOT be the governor. That’s just too obvious.

They hinted at exploring Lori’s pregnancy.

Darabont said he loves prisons, and the prison setpiece is too cool not to do. It may not be next season, but it will be coming up.

Kirkman and Darabont implied in banter that they’d be writing the Daryl Dixon (Merle’s brother) character into the comic book series.

Darabont wants Season Two to pick up immediately after Season One left off. He hates huge time jumps and wants his characters to be caught up in their current emotional state, reacting to what had just happened. He mentioned they’re on “puberty watch” for Chandler Riggs, who plays Rick and Lori’s son, Carl, as time passage may be a problem. They could always do the one year later thing once he actually begins to age. Unlike “LOST”, they’re not bound to the same time rules.

To stay up-to-the-minute on all things walker related, follow @WalkingDead_AMC on Twitter and visit “The Walking Dead” on Facebook.

Andrew mentioned he took some video of the panel so look for that soon, and in the meantime stay tuned for info from tomorrow night’s panel on “True Blood”. Paleyfest 2011 runs through March 17th; keep tabs on things by following the Paley Center on Twitter.