The dead walk, and so does Darabont

Timelord · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:35 am

According to Deadline, Frank Darabont, the creator, executive producer and director of AMC's smash hit "The Walking Dead", is stepping down as showrunner of the series, which is now in production on its upcoming second season. The news is even more surprising given the fact that Darabont was on hand for "The Walking Dead"'s Comic-Con panel just this past Friday alongside fellow executive producers Robert Kirkman, on whose graphic novel the series is based, and Gale Anne Hurd. There is speculation that Darabont might be off the show completely, but Deadline states that they hear talks are still ongoing about him possibly staying on in some capacity.

Deadline reports that the behind-the-scenes turmoil has not affected production on the show, which continues as scheduled. Season 2 of "The Walking Dead" is slated to premiere October 16th.

Cybermonk · **Joined:** Tue May 09, 2006 9:02 pm **Posts:** 1853

Any rumors/theories on how this might affect the show?
The series departed pretty swiftly from the story as tracked in its comic source. I wonder if this was Darabont doing. The fact that the graphic novelist is staying on is a good sign, I guess.

I'd really hate to see this show go the way of V -- meandering from good to bad writing and back again.
In other words: Here's hoping the Zombie Show doesn't turn into a "zombie show".

Timelord · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:54 am

From Deadlines article

Quote:

Darabont, who spent five years trying to get a TV version of the zombie saga off the ground and wrote and directed the AMC pilot, hails from the feature world, and I hear that he never quite adjusted to the daily grind of producing a TV series. Last December, he considered forgoing a writing staff for Season 2 and assigning scripts to freelancers but ultimately went for the traditional writing staff model recommended by the network and tapped Glen Mazzara as an executive producer and his No. 2. It is unclear if The Shield alum Mazzara, who has showrunning experience, would now step in to run Walking Dead. I hear that the behind-the-scenes turmoil has not affected production on the show, which continues as scheduled.

So this may be just him stepping back from something he knew he would only hurt. May be for the best. Like you said though, the last thing we need is a series meandering about chanting "Plot...Plot...Plot..."

Timelord · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:42 pm

More news on the subject...

Quote:

The Walking Dead executive producer Glen Mazzara is taking the reins of AMC's The Walking Dead following the exit of creator/executive producer/showrunner Frank Darabont. According to sources close to the hit zombie drama, Mazzara, who joined the show at the beginning of Season 2 as No. 2 to Darabont, will now indeed be the series' new show runner. He remains an executive producer alongside Robert Kirkman, on whose comic the series is based, and Gale Anne Hurd. It is still unclear if Darabont will stay on and in what capacity as those conversations are still ongoing.

Timelord · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2011 9:40 am

In case you haven't heard yet, but more information has been coming out of the AMC board room.

It appears that Darabont was essentially FIRED from the series after he expressed his displeasure at the cutting of the budget. After AMC gave Mad Men a huge increase in their budget, AMC said that The Walking Dead would have to cut $250,000 an episode.

The dead walk, and so does Darabont

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