[Stu]

hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/01/20/amc-walking-dead/

AMC announced plans today to build on the success of Mad Men and Breaking Bad by developing dramas based on the comic book series The Walking Dead and another inspired by the Danish TV series Forbrydelsen called The Killing. Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) will write, direct and executive produce the previously announced The Walking Dead, which follows a group of survivors after a zombie apocalypse, while The Killing, from writer and executive producer Veena Sud (Cold Case), is a Seattle-based drama that follows the investigation of a murder.

Both pilots will go into production this spring, and if ordered to series, will help shore up the network’s original lineup of dramas that are both critical favorites and repeat winners at the Emmy and Golden Globes.

[OpTard]

yeah. i'm psyched for this.

[salmonjunkie]

!!!!!!!!

[Lucky]

www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19630

Great news! While the pilot episode has yet to even go behind cameras, AMC has already ordered six episodes of the live-action comic book adaptation of "The Walking Dead", which is slated to premiere this October on AMC. Based on Robert Kirkman's graphic novels, the project will be written and directed by Frank Darabont (Shawshank Redemption, The Mist). As we reported earlier, Jonny Lee Miller (Hackers, Dracula 2000, "Eli Stone") is in talks to play the lead role of Rick Grimes, with Jon Bernthal locked to star as Grimes' partner and friend Shane. See what AMC president Charlie Collier had to say by reading below.

"AMC strives to make original shows that play like movies and 'The Walking Dead' is a perfect complement to the network's celebrated movie franchise, Fearfest, which has always been an important destination for our audience," said AMC president Charlie Collier. "With its depth of story and the remarkable talent attached, The Walking Dead gives us an opportunity to raise the bar significantly within this popular genre, and continue our commitment to being the home of premium programming on basic cable."

Kind of gives me the impression this will be an October Fearfest mini-series rather than a regular series. But a mini is better than a failed pilot that never makes it to TV and good ratings/reviews can obviously bring more seasons. So 6 guaranteed episodes!

[OpTard]

i got less of the impression that they're going for miniseires and more just that they plan to use fearfest draw people to it. come for the fearfest, stay for the walking dead.

but hey, whether they plan to stop or keep going after these 6, just getting 6 guaranteed makes me a happy camper.

i get the feeling that the only way we don't get more than 6 is if those 6 just simply stink.

[salmonjunkie]

!!!!!!!!!!

Sick Boy as Rick, eh? Cool! Although, I hope his American accent has improved since Hackers. It was pretty awful back then.