The Walking Dead: Andrew Lincoln Discusses How Rick Might Show Negan Mercy

Before the world fell apart, Rick Grimes was a man of the law. He marched around Georgia in his police uniform, ready to enforce what is right in the world and take those who choose to act against those principles to jail.

When Rick met Negan, a man who clearly lives outside of the current world’s rules, he didn’t threaten to toss him in jail. He promised to kill him.

Speaking to Rick actor Andrew Lincoln in an exclusive interview, ComicBook.com had knowledge of how Negan versus Rick goes down in the comics. At this point on the AMC series, it doesn’t appear that Rick has any intentions of jailing Negan but is solely focused on killing the man who took out his close friends to start Season 7. That said, Morgan Jones did construct a jail cell at Alexandria which is just begging for a resident.

Here’s what Lincoln had to say about Rick tossing Negan in Morgan’s jail cell…

I believe that there’s a long way to go for Rick to be able to come to that conclusion. I think he’s been so hurt and has had so many of his friends violated and murdered in front of him that I think it’s very difficult certainly for Rick to be able to make that judgment just yet.

But certainly restraint has to be shown in this new world. I think as a leader, Rick is having to recalibrate how he is able to communicate in this new place. The great thing about Rick that’s always been part of who he is is that he is open to new ideas and better ideas, and he’s also willing to change.

Never say never, but certainly at the moment, I think the last thing he wishes for Negan is a jail cell. Let’s be honest. I think he wants to kick his ass.

Whether or not Rick will be able to make the choice of jailing Negan or killing him is a position the Alexandria man is far from, anyway. He has a lot of community rallying to do before he can come face to face with the villain for a fight and walk away with his life.

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The Walking Dead returns for the rest of its seventh season on February 12 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC. Fear the Walking Dead‘s third season does not yet have a premiere date but with The Walking Dead finale set for April 2, expectations for Fear‘s return are set for April 9. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.