Fantasy Casting A Walking Dead Movie Trilogy

A few weeks ago, The Walking Dead showrunner Scott Gimple admitted that he believes a Walking Dead movie will happen eventually in an exclusive interview with Comicbook.com.

Gimple was not referring to a continuation of the current AMC series but a rebooted version of Robert Kirkman‘s comics for the big screen.

While it will be a considerable amount of time before such a move were to be made (given The Walking Dead‘s #1 position on cable, the show isn’t going anywhere any time soon), we at ComicBook.com couldn’t help but toss around casting ideas for a Walking Dead movie trilogy.

Of course, our casting came from base knowledge of The Walking Dead comics, leaving the AMC TV series out. One way the movies would be able to differentiate themselves is to follow the comics — especially early on. The current TV show has taken a few liberties to change character actions and even deaths.

On the following slides, we run through some of the major characters from The Walking Dead comics and the actors we want to see in the roles…

Andrea

The largest deviation from The Walking Dead comics was an unfortunate one for the character of Andrea and Laurie Holden, who played the character on television. In Robert Kirkman’s comics, Andrea evolves into the ultimate survivor and becomes Rick’s wife as the two take on any and all threats in the apocalypse.

An actress with some serious action skills would have to fill Andrea’s shoes for the big screen… Who better than Emily Blunt?

A once fan-favorite candidate for Captain Marvel has shown off her ability to take on raw action in movies such as Edge of Tomorrow but has also brought emotional grit to such sequences in Sicario. 

 

Michonne

At first, Michonne is hardened at completely introverted. However, she eventually brings out her lighter and more charming side despite being deeply conflicted.

A great candidate for the role is recent star of Warcraft and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocal action star Paula Patton.

Patton dives head on into roles (not talking literally about Flight, here) and has has shown off a diverse set of skills throughout her still-young career. Throw some dreads on her, put a sword in her hand, and she’ll be slicing through walkers in no time.

 

Rick Grimes

The most important role to carry The Walking Dead trilogy would be the man in charge of saving just about everyone. Early on, almost all of survival rests on the shoulders of Rick Grimes. He ends up getting help from people like Andrea, Carl, and others later on, but he is undoubtedly the main protagonist of the series.

Rick Grimes should be played by none other than Christian Bale.

Bale, best known for his work as Batman in the Dark Knight trilogy, brings a calm sense of leadership to the big screen. The actor has shown off his intense chops over the years, with ranging performances from American Psycho to Into The Furnace (the most accurate comparison for a Rick Grimes portrayal). Bale would be able to tackle the heartbreak, ruthlessness, and intensity of Rick Grimes better than anyone else.

 

Lori

Not only does Anne Hathaway look the part of Lori Grimes but, based on previous performances, she could portray the sense of guilt and heartbreak which weigh heavily on Rick’s wife early in the series.

With a Dark Knight trilogy reunion, Hathaway and Bale would see great chemistry as the torn up husband and wife until Lori ends up dead at the prison. Hathaway’s abilities to perform a heartfelt sense of regret and love are top of the line. With all of the strings pulling Lori in so many different directions, Hathway not only has the look for Lori Grimes but the talent, as well.

 

Carl Grimes

Finding a great child actor is difficult, but it’s even more difficult to find one that will grow into a character as they develop themselves. The growing is unpredictable, but Noah Schnapp definitely has the talent.

Noah has become well-known for his role as Will Byers on the Netflix hit series, Stranger Things.

While his character was missing for a large part of the series, he easily stole the scenes where he was featured.

The other child actors in the series were also great, and any one of them could easily portray Carl. Schnapp gets the edge, however, for having nailed the look of Carl Grimes without even trying.

 

Negan

Negan, the biggest gamechanger ever to grace the pages of The Walking Dead comics, is one of the most important roles of the series. Likely second to Rick, Negan is one of the most focused upon characters from all of Robert Kirkman’s work.

Getting the honor for The Walking Dead movie trilogy fantasy casting is none other than Josh Brolin. Brolin, who will be playing the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of Negan (a smiley Mad Titan bent of killing), has the perfect evil grin, deep voice, and elegant charm for the leather clad baddie.

Check out his roles in No Country For Old Men, Gangster Squad, and Sicario if you’re not sure he is worthy of Lucille.

 

The Governor

Tommy Lee Jones can play a stone cold killer with little visible emotion masterfully. The actor may be a bit older than the comic book version of the Governor by now but his stark line delivery seen in almost all of his roles makes him the perfect candidate for the leader of Woodbury.

Jones facing off with a Rick Grimes type character is the stuff that dreams are made of. Think of Jones portraying a character capable of menacing manipulation would be a great role… 

 

Shane Walsh

Someone needs to bring attitude and grit for a character like Shane Walsh.

Though his role was significantly smaller in The Walking Dead comics than on the AMC series, Shane’s legacy is a major factor. Prison Break and Legends of Tomorrow star Dominic Purcell would fit the bill.

Purcell brings some over the top toughness to Legends of Tomorrow as Heat Wave but his Lincoln Burrows character from Prison Break had enough heart mixed with intense tenacity to accurately portray a version of Shane Walsh fans would love to get to know.

 

Carol

Making her mark on Westworld is Evan Rachel Wood. Though quite a bit younger than Melissa McBride, Wood would be a great fit for a comic book accurate version of Carol.

In the comics, Carol never quite rises up the way she does on the AMC series. Wood has shown her ability to appear broken down on her new HBO show and could bring a tremendous amount of heart break to the big screen as a woman who ultimately chose to take her own life in the source material.

 

Morgan

Morgan is a scruffier and slightly younger looking character in The Walking Dead comics than television. For that reason, we have selected an actor who looks considerably different that Lennie James, who also packs a bit more grit to their style.

For Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead movie, the casting goes to Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Ejiofor showed off a touch of ruthlessness as the villain in Four Brothers but brings a more sincere sense of inner conflict in films such as Doctor Strange and 12 Years A Slave. Morgan’s lifespan in the comics is shorter than that of the AMC series but he journey through the apocalypse with Rick offers Ejiofor the chance to show genuine struggle for a man who has lost it all.

 

Maggie

Maggie Greene is the definition of “lost it all” in the comics. The last remaining member of the Greene bloodline saw her entire family slain before seeing husband’s head bashed in with a baseball bat.

One actress capable of showing off the heartbreak Maggie feels, rising into a strong position of power, and looking the part throughout is Rachel McAdams.

McAdams recently appeared in Doctor Strange with Ejiofor, though the two did not interact in the film. She did, however, play a major part in the titular hero’s main journey. McAdams has climbed the rankings of talented actresses with memorable performances in Wedding Crashers, Sherlock Holmes, and True Detective.

Given the opportunity to pull of the arc of Maggie Greene, McAdams would showcase the ultimate ability and unleash an inner bad-ass like never before.

 

Glenn

When The Walking Dead began, Glenn was a young pizza delivery boy with an appetite for adventure. He only became the battle-hardened veteran we know today as his character progressed throughout the series.

Ryan Potter has the ability to bring that youthful energy back to the origins of the character, and his ceiling as an actor is incredibly high.

Having voiced Hiro in Big Hero 6, Potter knows how to manipulate his voice to match a stressful situation. He’s also a trained martial artist who could do an amazing job with some of Glenn’s more acrobatic scenes.

Characters like Daryl, Merle, and T-Dog don’t make the fantasy cast list because they don’t and never will exist in The Walking Dead comics. 

As for Hershel, Tyreese, the Monroe family, and other characters from the comics who were not mentioned here — we leave those up to you. Leave a comment below and let us know who you want to see play the parts of Heath, Deanna Monroe, and other characters from Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead!