DEVELOPMENT PROCESS FOR “The Walking Dead” COMPANION SERIES PROCEEDS WITH CONFIRMED AMC PILOT ORDER
Robert Kirkman and Dave Erickson Co-Create Companion Piece to “The Walking Dead” Set in Different Location with New Cast of Characters
New York, NY – September 5, 2014 – AMC announced today that it has ordered a pilot episode of a companion series for “The Walking Dead.” “The Walking Dead,” which premiered on AMC in October, 2010, has been the #1 program on television among adults 18-49 for the last two years. Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert from “The Walking Dead” are also executive producers of the new project which, like the original, is being produced by AMC Studios. Dave Erickson (“Marco Polo,” “Sons Of Anarchy”), who co-created and co-wrote the pilot with Kirkman, will serve as an executive producer and showrunner.
“Almost from the beginning of ‘The Walking Dead’ on AMC, fans have been curious about what is going on in the zombie apocalypse in other parts of the world. In fact, beyond requests for zombie cameos, it’s the question I get asked the most,” said AMC President Charlie Collier. “Obviously, we all take our stewardship of the original franchise incredibly seriously and we, along with Robert, Gale, David and now Dave, are all proceeding with extreme care in order to ensure that we are offering fans something truly compelling, engaging and distinct. We’re thrilled to be taking this next step with these remarkable partners.”
“There are many corners of ‘The Walking Dead’ universe that remain unseen in the shadows. Being given the opportunity to shine a light into those corners and see what lurks out there is an absolute thrill. I know the fans are anxious to hear what Dave and I have been cooking up for this new universe of ‘The Walking Dead,’ and I'm happy to be one step closer to sharing it with them,” said Kirkman.
“I’ve been fortunate to have collaborated with both Robert and AMC on past projects and I’m thrilled to join them again, along with Gale and David, to build upon ‘The Walking Dead’s’ already epic narrative,” said Erickson.
The pilot is scheduled for production in late 2014. No additional details are being provided about the location and/or casting for the pilot at this time.
The highly-anticipated fifth season of “The Walking Dead” returns to AMC on October 12. “The Walking Dead” is based on the comic book series created and written by Robert Kirkman and published by Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics.
Robert Kirkman and Dave Erickson Co-Create Companion Piece to “The Walking Dead” Set in Different Location with New Cast of Characters
New York, NY – September 5, 2014 – AMC announced today that it has ordered a pilot episode of a companion series for “The Walking Dead.” “The Walking Dead,” which premiered on AMC in October, 2010, has been the #1 program on television among adults 18-49 for the last two years. Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert from “The Walking Dead” are also executive producers of the new project which, like the original, is being produced by AMC Studios. Dave Erickson (“Marco Polo,” “Sons Of Anarchy”), who co-created and co-wrote the pilot with Kirkman, will serve as an executive producer and showrunner.
“Almost from the beginning of ‘The Walking Dead’ on AMC, fans have been curious about what is going on in the zombie apocalypse in other parts of the world. In fact, beyond requests for zombie cameos, it’s the question I get asked the most,” said AMC President Charlie Collier. “Obviously, we all take our stewardship of the original franchise incredibly seriously and we, along with Robert, Gale, David and now Dave, are all proceeding with extreme care in order to ensure that we are offering fans something truly compelling, engaging and distinct. We’re thrilled to be taking this next step with these remarkable partners.”
“There are many corners of ‘The Walking Dead’ universe that remain unseen in the shadows. Being given the opportunity to shine a light into those corners and see what lurks out there is an absolute thrill. I know the fans are anxious to hear what Dave and I have been cooking up for this new universe of ‘The Walking Dead,’ and I'm happy to be one step closer to sharing it with them,” said Kirkman.
“I’ve been fortunate to have collaborated with both Robert and AMC on past projects and I’m thrilled to join them again, along with Gale and David, to build upon ‘The Walking Dead’s’ already epic narrative,” said Erickson.
The pilot is scheduled for production in late 2014. No additional details are being provided about the location and/or casting for the pilot at this time.
The highly-anticipated fifth season of “The Walking Dead” returns to AMC on October 12. “The Walking Dead” is based on the comic book series created and written by Robert Kirkman and published by Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics.
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I thought it was ordered to series already? I'm confused but looking forward to this.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait. I'm personally hoping it will be set in the UK or Australia.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I could've sworn it was ordered to series ages ago.
ReplyDeleteI think it was first spoken of during the mid-season break last year, which puts this one pilot at around January 2014... Approximately nine months... For a pilot script to be commissioned. I seriously don't understand what takes so long with pilots.
Great News. Can't wait !!!!
ReplyDeleteI really hope the Governor survived somehow ( Lily didn't actually shot him but fired just above his head as she couldn't murder anyone ) and after recovering from the beating from Rick and being stabbed by Michonne he headed somewhere new gathering together a new group of survives along the way.
[ David Morrissey would be the shows lead ]
No it was just being talked about / the idea being batted around. Now it's official.
ReplyDeleteAMC's desperation never ends, but since people can't wait, who I'm to judge.
ReplyDeleteStill a How I Met Your Dad level idea.
I was sure they announced this was airing in 2015. What's happening lol?
ReplyDeletewell...I could see a TWD spin-off about various topics:
ReplyDelete* a prequel that in 24 fashion tells the story of the first day of the outbreak and each season merely slowly shows the downfall of humanity from different characters perspectives IN a town
* a spin-off set in Alaska or another REALLY cold place, there new survivors would have to fear both the walkers but also the deadly enviroment, savage animals and cannibalistic humans
* a worldwide spin-off about a crew of survivors boarding a ship and sailing from continent to continent to find safe haven or traces of civilization
* a fast paced action themed spin-off that in Resident Evil fashion tells its story quick and explosion heavy to deliver a hard contrast to TWDs slow pacing
I just DON'T want to see another Walking Dead in the SAME boring enviroment. Not sure about you but I'm already kind of sick of Georgia
I'd love the first season to show the initial outbreak, kinda like The Strain only not terrible.
ReplyDeleteMEH
ReplyDeleteI like your cold place and RE fast paced idea!
ReplyDeletedoes the Strain suck?
ReplyDeleteI ment to pick up season 1 on bluray after its initial release because I generally dig any kind of vampire media but if it sucks I might reconsider :)
thanks, I'd dig a show in a cold are tbh. There aren't enough movies or shows like that
ReplyDeleteSpinoffs....
ReplyDeleteI love TWD comics but I dislike the tv show because of the major changes they did with the characters and some of the storylines. Also the pace of the storyline and how stupid they sometimes act it's frustrating.
ReplyDeleteStill this idea could be great as long as it isn't a clone. I love the idea of showing the initial outbreak. Also I'm sure this is going to be located in the US but maybe they could show us what's happening in other countries before they lose communication to the outside world. It would be interesting to see what happens in overpopulated places like China.
Please no more stupid or cliché characters. I get angry just thinking about how they ruined Andrea in the tv show when she is awesome in the comics. Also like others said the spin off can't be so slow paced because people aren't going to be interested if they get the same kind of storylines they get in the main show.
I love the ship idea. Especially because we could get to see what happened in other countries.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I thought at first, but I don't actually think this is a spin-off.
ReplyDeleteThe Strain is awesome. It's based on the trilogy of books by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan. It's really good with some very cool characters. Like any show, it needed a few episodes to set the groundwork, which, I can understand, could make people dis-like some shows at first, but after episode 4 or 5 you can see it is going to be a great series.
ReplyDeleteWhat are we categorizing it as? just a wondering question.
ReplyDeletefor me if its a another show/story derived from the same universe of the main show/story then its a Spin-off, and I hate them, like I hate them, but I Still watch em, and that's why I hate them, because I am forced to watch them because I am a Fan of the universe, but yea I hate them. Rarely I am happy about the fact that I have to watch them.
I think people dislike The Strain because it's not pretentious like a lot of cable shows these days. It is what it is: a fun horror series. Not even as ridiculous as American Horror Story (which for the record I love) :)
ReplyDeleteWith pretentious you mean like TWD and GoT?
ReplyDeleteIf so: good. I need a fun horror series :D
it will eb cool they go somewhere unnexpected, everyone is waiting for UK, but there are so much many places. I for one expect to go in diferent locations on diferent seasons with different people, something to show how people from around the world survives the apocalipse.
ReplyDeleteYes basically :) Although I must admit I love GoT though despite its moments of pretentiousness. :D And I agree, cable needs a LOT more shows that can edgier than broadcast, but have a sense of fun about them. There are too few.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I loved True Blood, it was absolutely insane and beyond realism.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm underestimating the creative process here, but it sure seems like it shouldn't take this long to "bat" an idea around.
ReplyDeleteIm so Happy...it will be like watching TWD 2 Hrs a week now...Awesome !!!!
ReplyDeleteMore Zombies? Don't people ever get tired of watching brainless creatures chowing down on someone's leg?
ReplyDeleteLol. I could be wrong, but I always thought of a Spin-Off as show that takes one or two, mostly one, character(s) from one show and delves more into their lives into a new, separate show. For example, Frasier frequented the bar that was the main setting in 'Cheers', then we followed his life in Seattle in his own show. I don't know what to call this, but Kirkman has already said he won't use any characters form the comics and it will be standalone but in the same universe. I think it will be great. If The Walking Dead is awesome, then two shows based on it will awesome...er? Lol, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteWell i love The Strain. But as for the rest of your statement:
ReplyDeleteWell hopefully it's on when The Walking Dead is on hiatus. It'll make that long break easier to take.
ReplyDeleteWell yes, that was a very eloquent argument...
ReplyDeleteAhhh, a very good idea, i didnt think of that...and maybe they could continue giving us The Talking Dead after the new show also...☺...
ReplyDeleteYes i thought so, thank you. ; )
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, you can't really argue opinion, when it comes to personal taste. Some people like some things, some like other things. Hence the thumbs down. Since Disqus saw fit, to take away the down voting feature a while back, this is my substitute.
I love The Strain, and it's jumped into my top 20 current series. But it has a ways to go, before i'd consider it in the same league with The Walking Dead.
It might help you to realize, that TWD is not about zombies. It's a character study into humanity. About when facing an extinction level event, will people pull together? Or will the worst human traits emerge. With humans attacking each other, over dwindling resources, jealousy, and greed. Hastening their own demise. The Walkers are a plot devise. It could just as easily be an asteroid, military invasion, aliens, ect.
I've heard that argument before and it always reminds me of those guys that claim they buy Penthouse or Playboy because of the intelligent and though-provoking articles contained therein. To me, TWD appears to consist mainly of a constant, repetitive stream of gratutious violence; and I suspect that the main part of its audience does consist of fans of blood and gore and not of people interested in philosophical character studies. Or do you really think AMC would have achieved the ratings that they have if they had used one of those other plot devices that you mentioned? Personally, I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteI guess, any WD spin-off somewhere in Syberia would be very dull - all zombies frozen )
ReplyDeletehave you seen Resident Evil Retribution? Zombies seem to be capable to suvive in cold areas as well, since their bodies are dead that makes some kind of sense
ReplyDeleteNo, I didn't. Anyway, if they are dead - meaning they are not warm. I logically presume that in -25 degrees celsium they must be completele frozen.
ReplyDelete