The Walking Dead exec: Robert Kirkman pushed for deviations

While The Walking Dead is a series based on the comic series of the same name, you can’t exactly say that one is the carbon copy of the other. The AMC series has taken many liberties from the source material so far, and given that both Andrew Lincoln and Lauren Cohan are likely leaving during season 9, odds are that there are some others coming up. You just have to be prepared for that, given a certain aspect of this change is now inevitable.

With all of this said, there was a time at one point in which series author Robert Kirkman was pushing for more changes, and also when executive producer Scott M. Gimple wanted to keep things close to the material. This was, of course, back when the series had the ability to be more loyal before losing some of its actors — that’s a reality with television that Kirkman doesn’t have to worry about.

Speaking at a recent AMC panel (via Insider), here is what Gimple had to say about it:

“Back when we started, Robert and I argued a lot because I wanted to do the book just as the book and he actually wanted to do changes because he had already done it … And, yeah, I wanted to see those moments that I saw in the book … As I worked more and more on it, because I was so familiar with those moments, I knew that making those little twists to give the reader – it’s actually doing right by the people who read the book and know what’s coming.”

Some of those changes have worked, whereas others left a little bit to be desired. This is a show that is taking risks and on some level, we do appreciate that. (Still, they didn’t need to take the “risk” that was Glenn with the dumpster.)

The Walking Dead is entering season 9 now and with so many departures, there is a chance for reinvention. We do think that there is a chance this could actually help the show, especially since this one has been stuck in a rut for a while. Of course, there’s no guarantee that said reinvention will work, either, or that viewers will stick around given that there is a contingent ready to bail on The Walking Dead after Rick.

Related – The season 9 showrunner talks upcoming plans

Are there any major The Walking Dead changes from the source material that you especially appreciate? Be sure to share in the comments!

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