Negan was arguably the most anticipated Walking Dead character to jump from page to screen in the series. Creator Robert Kirkman has already spoke at length about the fan reactions, but dove deeper on the subject with UPROXX to discuss future cliffhangers, Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s performance, and Season 7.
When asked about the reactions to the finale Robert said, “The timing works out that we’re already… I think that’s why there’s a confidence when you see Scott Gimple on Talking Dead and when you hear me in interviews saying, “Well, look. I know that you guys are unhappy, but listen. Things are going to work out. Season seven’s going to be great. You guys are going to be really happy with the premiere. It’ll form a two-part story that’ll make sense when you see it.”
“That kind of stuff sounds dismissive, and it sounds arrogant, or like we’re not recognizing that people are unhappy. And that’s unfortunate, but that’s because we started writing season seven in January. When people were watching the finale in April, we were already many, many episodes beyond that. There’s a certain amount of reassurance and… When people are saying, “Oh my god, I hope they don’t do this,” and we haven’t done that, then it’s like, “Okay, well, that’s great.” Now they’re all, “Well, you know that since the finale went like this, now they’re going to do this,” and we didn’t do that.”
Kirkman also believes Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s performance may have been lost in the chaos, “One of the side effects that I’m upset about is that people aren’t talking about Jeffrey Dean Morgan enough. I think that he is absolutely amazing as Negan. I think that his presence in that finale adds so much to the show. I know people don’t like the cliffhanger aspect of it, but I like to think that everything up to that moment was pretty amazing, and people were digging it.”
Controversy aside Kirkman warned the show will NOT be smooth-sailing from here on out. “I think people are discounting the fact that Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Negan are in the show now, so you’re going to be seeing stuff like that pretty much every episode of Season Seven,” Kirkman teased. “Not necessarily cliffhangers. I don’t want to worry people, but Negan is going to be an ever-present, constant threat that is going to change everything moving forward.”
Kirkman made sure to offer some reassurance to the fans, “And maybe I’ve said things like that before, but I promise you, Negan is going to be different. Season seven is going to be really cool. I couldn’t be more excited about it.”
So what did YOU think? Excited for Season 7?? Let us know in the comments AND make sure to check out the rest of the interview over at UPROXX.
Honestly, I still don’t buy it. I really want that what they are saying is true, but I think that it’s just something to get people back to see Season 7.
✔ROBERT KIRKMAN during interview with UPROXX:”One of the side effects, and I’m going to stop talking about this because I know that’s going to be a whole other article on its own, but one of the side effects that I’m upset about is that people aren’t talking about Jeffrey Dean Morgan enough. I think that he is absolutely amazing as Negan.”✔
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Trying to move past this…
I like JDM… think that casting is awesome. But because of the FUCKING SPOILERS, my enthusiasm for his appearance was already killed off. You wanna make sure to make up for the shithanger–which is really not about the shithanger in itself but about compromising what we know about Negan’s character–& bring back the passion that was lost for some of us, STOP. THE. FUCKING. PRE-AIRED. SPOILERS!!! DON’T feed it & don’t allow it… it’s not fucking fair!!! My crew has already run up on The Spoiling Dead Fucks’ info for Season 7, which does nothing but further detract from what you’re trying to bring us in the future! I’m willing to put my faith back in you, but you HAVE to let me experience that in full force on the night it airs!!!
A CEASE & DESIST ISSUED TO THE SPOILING DEAD FUCKS REGARDING LUCILLE’S VICTIM… FANTASTIC!!!
Now here’s hoping that AMC takes it even farther by covering ALL pre-aired content!
God this sounds like a fucking parent telling their 5 year old “I know you don’t understand now, sweetie. But TRRRRUSSST ME, you’ll understand when you’re older.”
Prepare for more shithangers, people.
I really love TWD! I have watched and re-watched it from the very first episode. I did not even know the comic books existed. I have since read the synopsis for some of the comic books and intend to buy, at least the Compendium, but from someone who really has only the show to go on, I think it’s awesome. I cannot be disappointed when something in the comics doesn’t happen on the screen. I remember early on Robert Kirkman saying he loves the opportunity to re-write and better some things, and I think he has. I am pleased at some of the changes I know he has made. I didn’t mind the cliffhanger. I guess I was expecting one. I am definitely looking forward to Season 7 with great anticipation.
Could give less of a fuck about the cliffhanger. This shows about as satisfying as almost cumming. Stray observations: Jeffy D is not built like a brick shithouse, Negan doesn’t have a beard and maybe it’s just me but for me, I always imagined Negan’s speech pattern to be kinda mile-a-minute with a healthy dose of irreverence. As if to say, “Can you fucking believe the situation we’re in is real? Can you believe I’m real!?” JD played it just kinda chill. Like a kinda sweaty, tired southern lawyer. I dunno, I can’t really complain because I watch every season out of obligation more so than dedication, so aliens could crack out of Rick’s head and the show would still be just meh. How about that Whisperer War though? Fucking stoked!
Sometimes I wish I either never got into the comics or never got into the show. I love most of the changes and am glad things aren’t the same. It keeps me surprised. If I didn’t read the comics I wouldn’t have minded this cliffhanger. The episode until then was one of my favourites and I didn’t have any real problem with JDM’s portrayal of Negan. I watch and rewatch that episode, especially the Negan scene.
I do have to admit though, as much as I love him as an actor the way JDM did it didn’t feel entirely right. Despite doing almost word for word from the comic (profanity aside of course), and despite the use of things like “Pee pee pants city,” and a few other remarks and joking that should have been amusing, he seemed to have a tone that lacked any sense of humor or enjoyment. I still loved the scene though and have a lot of hope for JDM going into season 7.
I am a little concerned about RK saying among other promises, that Negan will be different. I hope they don’t change him too much from the comics the way they have with some others, some good some bad, but drastically changed (Andrea, the Governor, Dale, Bob, among others). He’s too big of a character to do that with.
My problem with the cliffhanger was that it became all about who was killed instead of the horror of watching someone you love get beaten to death with a barbed wire covered baseball bat. It was a sick, shocking and memorable scene and it was lost. The creators don’t want to accept this part of why fans are truly pissed off. It doesn’t matter how the season premiere handles it, there’s no fixing that. I’m also a little worried the death will go to a fairly minor character and lose even more impact.
I’m also concerned with Negan being different. Trying to imagine what they’d bring us to make us still love to hate him the way we do Comic Negan.
And that right there dear blackjack13 is the problem.
I am an addict to the show and comics, but I cant get past what happened in the finale. Not because of the cliffhanger. Actually, the cliffhanger does not matter to me at all, in any other situation I would just be patiently (excitedly) waiting for the return in October.
However, we are dealing with a bigger problem, the denying of knowledge of who got killed is at the same time denying what you said. They did not deny us information, that is not how I see it, instead they denied us from how heavy that moment was. They denied us of how amazing JDM acted that scene out (even though he was slower and calmer than one would expect). They denied us the horror of what he was doing and they denied you the intellectual speculation of what happens next. They just left you with “who died?”. I hate that because it kind of overshadows anything you would like to discuss about the show beyond “who died?”.
That is my problem with the cliffhanger. Even if Rick dies I can deal with it (so to speak), but denying me the beauty of meeting Negan. That I cant stand.
I just wanted to follow that up by saying that I admit and understand that last paragraph sounded a little hypocritical, starting with saying how I hate that who it was becoming more important to people than the act, then ending it with caring who it was. It’s just that I am afraid that part of the impact and changes going forward will also be taken away. It does matter, but in my opinion it’s not the most important part.
Guys… Not gonna lie. Like JDM as an actor and a person, but he’s not Negan. Sorry, someone had to say it. Down vote the hell out of me if you want. Negan is a physically imposing clean shaven behemoth that talks a mile a minute. JDMs take is opposite. I’ll be first to say I like the TV governer much better than the comic version, but Negan set the bar so high. Just got to accept it is what it is. Hope these surprises are real and not platitudes, but I’m not really excited for 7. Whisper war is far more intriguing.
I think JDM has potential & we should probably give him more time. Let’s see what Season 7 brings. I’m willing to accept a little change as long as it’s good change.
I was disappointed, too. I thought “THAT’S the big, bad boogey man?”
@SeanMathews1
I understand your disappointment, yet I do not agree. See it this way, between a movie and a remake TV show there is already a big discrepancy. Now imagine a comic book and a TV show. Certain things cannot be done. (like, small spoiler, we are going to meet Ezekiel and the kingdom soon on the show. The comic book way of this was, here is Ezekiel and he hates Negan. Rick accepts that and starts planning for the future. In the show they cannot do that at all. That is why Carol and Morgan are headed there. They were found wounded and they will learn about the kingdom. By the time Rick gets there, Carol and Morgan will tell Rick that Ezekiel is a good lad).
See my point? Certain things just cannot be executed on TV right. The same goes with the crazy overly cracking jokes type of villain. People love that in the comics (as well as his huge build), but on TV this is just a big guy cracking jokes. I do think he will be joking around, but he will be more of a menacing calm type of guy. I love that notion, think the comedian from Watchmen, and I think JDM is gonna nail it 🙂
I don’t disagree…. and I really hope he can pull it off. I just wasn’t impressed by any aspect of the finale. To me, it was a let down. Like BASTET said, I’m willing to have some changes. I guess time will tell…
I would have felt differently if the finale had not been hyped all season. It was like your kid brother laughing at you and yelling “MADE YOU LOOK!” Even the great total commitment by the cast couldn’t save it for me. Kirkman better come up with some Pulitzer writing to keep me watching.Obviously, WD fans are a bit more discerning that Kirkman thinks we are. We know when we’ve been had. That was just a cheap shot!
Jdm did an amazing entrance and I’m sure he will be great as Negan. I love the comics but think the tv version is scared to kill main characters off. The cliffhanger was not a clever move they’re trying to get viewers to talk about the show but they’re talking about the writers and producers instead in a bad way. I’ve just started to watch preacher and half way through the comics it’s amazing I hope this doesn’t get ruined too.
Love JDM as Negan. This is my all time favorite show and the finale was crazy. I just can’t wait until October for 7!! I’m wondering if anyone else out there has a suspicion that Negan might have killed one of his own?? Just a thought.
Everything hangs on the LV, IMO…..Depending on who it is, it could become one of the greatest shows in television history….1 of the Atl. 4 or bust…..I like Negan & can’t wait for next season!
http://aminoapps.com/p/cegsy please read this..there are a lot of fans who feel this way!
Anyone ever considered the possibility that Negan kills more than one character at the RV?