The Walking Dead: Danai Gurira On Michonne Filling Key Comic Book Role

Spoilers for The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 4 and comic books follow!

The Walking Dead followed the comics in Sunday’s Service episode more than ever before. A huge portion of Negan’s dialogue was ripped straight from the pages of Robert Kirkman’s graphic novels. More importantly, the episode set the stage for major moments from the comic books to be realized on television which gets die hard fans more excited than anything else. After all, The Walking Dead has almost always worked best when it follows its source material.

“There are some great moments from the comic books that we’re going to get a chance to experience,” executive producer Greg Nicotero told ComicBook.com. “To me it feels like we may be a little closer in nature to certain beats in the graphic novel than we have in the past, but that could just be my interpretation of it.”

One of the iconic moments fans are curious about is Andrea’s role in the belltower during one of Negan’s visits. The character has been long dead on the AMC series but another bad-ass female seems to be stepping up in her place.

Though many originally suspected Sasha would fill Andrea’s sniper role given her skills with an assault rifle, it looks like Michonne is gunning for the job. In Sunday’s extended Service episode, the katana-wielding survivor took a rifle out into the fields for some target practice before ultimately handing over the gun to Negan and the Saviors. Of course, comic book fans went berserk, seeing the shades of comic book Andrea in TV Michonne’s training.

Speaking to Danai Gurira in an exclusive interview, ComicBook.com learned the actress’ perspective of whether or not Michonne is filling in for Andrea in more ways than being Rick’s lady.

“We’ll have to see,” Gurira said.

The rifle training, however, will likely continue.

“She’s not that good at it, we do know that, but she definitely is trying to find a way,” Gurira said. “She was, at least at the beginning of the episode, trying to find a way to combat this issue in as effective a way as possible. Of course, a gun can be a very effective way to handle something versus just her swords. We’ll see if she gets to the point where she picks it back up again, or she gets one to pick back up again. They did just give them all their weapons.”

All rifles aside, baseball bat versus katana, katana wins every time. It’s interesting to think that Gurira’s sword training played no role in getting her the role of Black Panther’s bodyguard in the upcoming Marvel Studios film.

MORE WALKING DEAD:

Negan’s Five Most Outrageous Lines In ‘Service’ / Christian Serratos On Potential Rosita And Eugene Love Story / Eugene And Rosita Love Story Ahead? / Danai Gurira On Michonne Filling Key Comic Book Role / ‘Go Getters’ Sneak Preview Released / What Did Michonne Find? / Austin Nichols Say Spencer Wants To Be A Leader

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.