We can barely contain our excitement! News just broke that the iconic comic series we hold dear to our hearts, Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead, is getting the series treatment at AMC with one of our favorite directors at the helm, Frank Darabont. Two words: Holy -and- Shit!!!
The following comes from Variety in its entirety:
AMC is venturing into zombie-drama territory with multi-hyphenate Frank Darabont.
Cabler is close to finalizing one of the richest development deals ever with Darabont to write and direct a series adaptation of the Image Comics graphic novel series "The Walking Dead," penned by Robert Kirkman. Gale Anne Hurd of Valhalla Motion Pictures and David Alpert of Circle of Confusion are also on board to exec produce.
Project is set among a group of zombie survivors of an apocalypse who are led by a police officer, Rick Grimes, in search of a safe place to live. Numerous editions of the "Walking Dead" graphic novels have been published since 2003.
Joel Stillerman, AMC's senior veep of programming, production and original content, said the project appealed to the cabler because of "the quality of the storytelling" in Kirkman's work. The series will stay faithful to the tone of the original novels, he said.
"This is not about zombies popping out of closets," Stillerman said. "This is a story about survival, and the dynamics of what happens when a group is forced to survive under these circumstances. The world (in 'Walking Dead') is portrayed in a smart, sophisticated way."
Stillerman noted that the cabler's annual "Fear Fest" movie showcase around Halloween is one of AMC's most popular programming events of the year. "We've got an audience that loves this kind of material," he said.
Darabont and Hurd pitched the project to AMC and several other outlets. There is no studio attached yet. The duo's involvement made the project a must-have for the cabler, Stillerman said. "These are two world-class filmmakers who are also brilliant storytellers with experience in the fantasy genre," he said.
Right on! Break out the brews, folks! This is cause for much celebration. My only concern is how they're gonna handle the excessive violence, but with Darabont on board I'm sure this issue will be more than addressed in the proper fashion. Stay tuned!
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Submitted by Uncle Creepy on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 1:20am.
I definitely don't want a muted version of it. The books are EXTREMELY graphic and violent. This is why I would prefer it being on a premium channel. The scene with the little girls at the prison alone is way to fucked for even basic cable.
Submitted by Didn't See It Coming on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 5:12pm.
Gale Ann Hurd?!?! HOLY SHIT! And Frank Darabount?! THIS IS THE GREATEST THING I'VE HEARD ALL DAY!
Submitted by The Buz on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 2:58pm.
This is the most BONER inducing news maybe ever!
Fucking finally!
HBO and Showtime are going to be kicking rocks at letting this one slip by them.
Time to take to the streets and do a victory dance!
Submitted by The Butcher on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 12:58pm.
Drool, sputter, hell yeah! gurgle, shamble, out-gasssss.
if you've read the series, you know that the zombies are the least of your worries. This ought to be good.
Submitted by Avid Fan on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 12:30pm.
Great news!!!!!
Submitted by Gus Bjork on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 11:31am.
When I read the tagline, I thought "Holy Shit!"
UC, you took the words right out of my mouth!!!
Submitted by The Unknown Murderer on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 4:45am.
OMG! Best news ever!
Submitted by ZombieGrrlz on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 4:11am.
I'm hoping if they do censor it much they will at least make it where we can see it unrated when/if it comes on dvd.
Submitted by Hoop on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 3:31am.
AMC gets away with quite a bit on Mad Men, so I'm feeling pretty confident they'll do right by The Walking Dead. Now the question looms ... who should play Rick?
Submitted by The Woman In Black on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 12:21pm.
We need an actor who can sport a sweet beard, right?
Then the choice is obvious: A. J. Bowen!
Submitted by Mr. Gray on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 4:35pm.
I always hoped this would become a series. Now I'll have to get AMC when this goes on air. I would rather it be HBO or Showtime though.
Submitted by Didn't See It Coming on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 3:17am.
Nut. Busted.
Must lie down.
Submitted by Mr. Gray on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 1:25am.