Is Michael Rooker Returning For The Walking Dead Season 6?

Michael Rooker hasn't been on The Walking Dead for a while, now, and I suggest stopping here if you don't know why. His character did tend to come and go through the first few seasons, but now, a return would be quite surprising following his unfortunate showdown with The Governor.

However, Rooker, who has since moved on to star in Guardians of the Galaxy, was spotted on set in Senoia, Georgia (Yes, they still film The Walking Dead in Georgia despite being set in Alexandria, Virginia). Obviously, dead is dead, so Rooker won't be coming back to the show to wreak havoc as the lovely Merle Dixon we came to know.

With the above Spoiling Dead Fans post, which in the comments points out Rooker was not only in Senoia, but specifically "on set," we have to wonder why Rooker is out there?

How about that flashback episode Scott Gimple talked about at Comic Con?

Gimple revealed he was working on an entire episode which would be a flashback but offered no further details. Given that both Rooker and Tyler William James' characters are no longer amongst the living survivors, a flashback would be the only plausible way to bring them back to the show. Maybe, those "Bring Beth Back" petitioners will get there way for a few brief moments, as well.

As for what kind of flashback Merle Dixon would be featured in... Probably something to develop Daryl's character. Just when the two were starting to flesh out their past, Merle was taken from us. We'd all love a chance to get to know Norman Reedus' fan favorite character a little bit better, wouldn't we?

While we're at it with flashbacks, can we bring back Shane, too?

Hopefully we find out sooner than later when The Walking Dead returns October 11 on AMC.