Is Negan Going To Cut Off Rick’s Hand In The Walking Dead?

Rick’s right hand has been something to keep an eye on for fans of The Walking Dead ever since the Governor came into the mix.

In Robert Kirkman’s comics, the maniacal Governor interrogated the Sheriff and when Mr. Grimes refused to throw his group under the bus, ole Governor severed his right hand at the wrist. That was issue #28, printed over 10 years ago on June 15, 2006.

Several times in The Walking Dead universe on AMC, such an event has been teased. Last year, Rick cut his hand on a machete lodged in a walker and Fear the Walking Dead teased Nick losing his hands after betraying the Cartel in Tijuana. Tyreese was unfortunate enough to lose a good portion of his arm in a failed effort to save his life in season five but aside from that, no one has lost a hand and survived on the series. Merle Dixon certainly tried, though.

In the only clip of Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead‘s Season 7 premiere, the moment is being teased again. The villainous Negan not only goes on a rant about his “right hand man” but also takes Rick’s hatchet from Simon before yanking Rick into the RV.

No, Negan is not the one to cut off Rick’s hand in the comics but he may do so on the TV series.

“I think it’s safe to say that the axe could play a prominent part in the episode,” Greg Nicotero told ComicBook.com.

Rick actor Andrew Lincoln has told ComicBook.com he wants to see the moment realized in live-action.

“You know, I campaigned two seasons ago when the Governor was around… I was saying, ‘You’ve gotta do the hand guys!’ And Victor, who was in charge of special effects, just said, ‘No, no no no. Anybody else but not you. It’ll cost a fortune with green screen and blue screen,’” Lincoln says. “But you know, I’m of the opinion that certainly with where the story seems to be going this season, no one is safe of any long term damage.”

The discussion came prior to The Walking Dead‘s sixth season but with added special effects of Ezekiel’s tiger being added into the mix, it is entirely possible that Rick Grimes will go the way of Jaime Lannister in the seventh. The visual effects team would certainly be working over time, though, seeing as Lincoln’s Rick is in just about every episode (and almost scene) on the series.

It is unlikely Lincoln’s character will lose a hand on the AMC series but anything is possible. Considering how well the team has kept Negan’s kill a secret, they may have something even bigger planned for the rest of the series.

[MORE TWD on ComicBook.com: What we know so far | Who dies in Season 7? | Is Rick losing a hand? | Daryl’s comic influence | All out war is coming | Was the cliffhanger smart? ]

Speaking to ComicBook.com, Aaron actor Ross Marquand says the Season 7 premiere is about “the complete emasculation of Rick.” Negan may not only kill one of Rick’s “right hand” men but also break him down even further in the trailer. Plus, imagine the hatred built towards the character from audiences after he kills a couple of characters and proceeds to take away Rick’s shooting hand.

Following the premiere of The Walking Dead’s seventh season, ComicBook.com will be live with Dwight actor Austin Amelio for a recap of the brutal episode and a look into the future of the series on After the Dead.

The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.