The Walking Dead: Norman Reedus Explains How Negan Is Like The Joker

The Walking Dead has created one of the most iconic villains on television and he has only been on screen for about 12 minutes, so far. Nevertheless, stars of the show are now comparing their villain to one of the most iconic villains in pop culture history: The Joker.

It’s odd to think that a cast member who plays a character would give a villain such a compliment. Nevertheless, Daryl Dixon actor Norman Reedus has given Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Negan the ultimate praise, honoring him with comparison to Batman’s nemesis and the best known clown in history.

“He’s a prick but you know, I have to say, Jeffrey’s killing it — no pun intended,” Norman Reedus said. “He’s great. He’s super charismatic, and he’s enjoying being this jerk way too much, as a matter of fact. You know, it’s a real blessing we have him on the show. He’s brought so much new energy to this show, and that character is like the Joker.”

Of course, one of Negan’s first lines in Season 7 will be, “Was the joke that bad?” as revealed in the first clip from the season premiere – a line ripped straight from the pages of Robert Kirkman’s comics.

That said, Reedus admits that Morgan’s portrayal of the villain makes him and the other cast members want to kill him – meaning it’s that good.

“It has to be great, and he’s delivering, and everyone likes him, and he’s fun,” Reedus said. “He’s a cool guy and everything, but in the moment, everyone wants to f—ing kill him, and then we wrap, and we’re all having fun again. So he’s a great addition to the show.”

The respect goes both ways, though, according to Reedus.

“He was really impressed with our cast that even off camera, they were giving him full tears, and they were giving him every sort of thing that would really be happening even when they weren’t on camera,” Reedus said. “That’s kind of rare on a set, you know? Sometimes you act to a tennis ball.”

“I remember after the first day, Jeffrey was like, ‘Holy s—! Thank you guys for doing this. I’ve never been on a set like this where every actor, even when they’re off camera, gives full tears and full snot.’ So he gives that to us, and we give it back to him. It’s a good give and take on this show, and it’s always been like that on this show, to be honest.”

The Walking Dead returns for its seventh season on October 23 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.

(via EW)