03-30-2010, 04:30 PM
(From Mania.com)
We have been following the development of a TV pilot based on Robert Kirkman's 'Walking Dead' comic. The trial balloon was being written and directed by filmmaker Frank Darabont and produced by Gale Anne Hurd.
Well, without a single frame of the pilot being filmed AMC has gone ahead and expanded their interest to a early series order, according to the Hollywood Reporter. In fact, the show isn't even cast yet, but the cable net has gone ahead and asked that six episodes be filmed.
The short series length isn't unusual for AMC. They typically run 13-episode seasons, unlike the broadcast nets who may order 22 episodes or more. And AMC shows like 'Breaking Bad' started off with abbreviated first season as a way of dipping a toe in the water to see if its worth diving in.
The show aims to start filming in June in Atlanta for an October premiere.
So far the only official casting on the show is Jon Bernthal, who was announced as playing Shane in the pilot. However, Blood-Disgusting.com reports that Johnny Lee Miller is the front runner for the lead role in the series. Lee would be playing Rick Grimes, the cop who sleeps through the initial wave of infection and wakes up 28 days later (seriously) to a zombie-infested world. He has to reconnect with his wife and son (who are being protected by Shane) and eventually becomes the de facto leader of a growing group of survivors trying to hold their lives together.
Miller has previously been seen as the lead in 'Eli Stone' as well as numerous movies.
In related news, ShockTillYouDrop.com reports that KNB Effects Group are tasked with making the dead walk in the pilot. Greg Nicotero, partner in the makeup effects shop, confirmed the info. KNB have previously worked with Darabont on his big screen adaptation of Steven King's story 'The Mist'. You've also seen their zombies in 'Diary of the Dead' and 'Survival of the Dead'.
What do you think? Are you down for WALKING DEAD: THE TV SERIES? Do you like Miller in the lead? If not him, then who?
We have been following the development of a TV pilot based on Robert Kirkman's 'Walking Dead' comic. The trial balloon was being written and directed by filmmaker Frank Darabont and produced by Gale Anne Hurd.
Well, without a single frame of the pilot being filmed AMC has gone ahead and expanded their interest to a early series order, according to the Hollywood Reporter. In fact, the show isn't even cast yet, but the cable net has gone ahead and asked that six episodes be filmed.
The short series length isn't unusual for AMC. They typically run 13-episode seasons, unlike the broadcast nets who may order 22 episodes or more. And AMC shows like 'Breaking Bad' started off with abbreviated first season as a way of dipping a toe in the water to see if its worth diving in.
The show aims to start filming in June in Atlanta for an October premiere.
So far the only official casting on the show is Jon Bernthal, who was announced as playing Shane in the pilot. However, Blood-Disgusting.com reports that Johnny Lee Miller is the front runner for the lead role in the series. Lee would be playing Rick Grimes, the cop who sleeps through the initial wave of infection and wakes up 28 days later (seriously) to a zombie-infested world. He has to reconnect with his wife and son (who are being protected by Shane) and eventually becomes the de facto leader of a growing group of survivors trying to hold their lives together.
Miller has previously been seen as the lead in 'Eli Stone' as well as numerous movies.
In related news, ShockTillYouDrop.com reports that KNB Effects Group are tasked with making the dead walk in the pilot. Greg Nicotero, partner in the makeup effects shop, confirmed the info. KNB have previously worked with Darabont on his big screen adaptation of Steven King's story 'The Mist'. You've also seen their zombies in 'Diary of the Dead' and 'Survival of the Dead'.
What do you think? Are you down for WALKING DEAD: THE TV SERIES? Do you like Miller in the lead? If not him, then who?