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Our Favorite Rumor Of The Day: Will The Walking Dead Become a Feature Film?

by Kellie Foxx-Gonzalez | 2:01 pm, August 14th, 2012


Television-to-movie transitions are often very hit or miss. Sometimes it can go extraordinarily well, as was the case with The Muppets movie, and sometimes it can go horribly, horribly wrong, as distraught Avatar: The Last Airbender fans are quick to point out. As a result, fans are often understandably split over the issue of filmic reboots — is it worth potentially sullying the source material? If Bloody Disgusting’s Mr. Disgusting is correct about burgeoning rumors of a feature film adaptation of AMC’s The Walking Dead, this timeless debate may once again ignite flamewars in comment sections across the Internet.

According to Mr. Disgusting, there have been “rumblings” of a feature film adaptation of the comic-turned-TV show for quite some time. Granted, by “rumblings” he meant that the idea “has been passed off in non-business conversations,” but considering the success of the show and the fact that it was being thrown around as a film before it was affiliated with a network, this isn’t a rumor that’s far off base.

Although Mr. Disgusting is quick to clarify that this is practically the rumoriest of rumors, especially considering mega-hit shows like 24 and The Sopranos were also rumored to have films in the works to no avail, I would venture to say that the current climate is ripe for a Walking Dead film. The comic boasts the best selling indie issue this century, the franchise will be featured at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, where franchise licensing is usually reserved for large film releases such as The Thing remake or Silent Hill 2, and finally, let’s face it, we’re a bit overdue for a good zombie movie. No, the Resident Evil films don’t count.

I only have two questions: how quickly can this happen so I can throw all of my money at it, and what would this movie even look like? Personally, I’d like to see a prequel that covers the outbreak, or something that is entirely stand-alone — I generally dislike it when movie canon meddles with TV canon. A commenter on Blastr pointed out a great idea: what if the film followed the fate of Duane Jones and his father Morgan?

What would you like to see in a Walking Dead film?

(via Blastr and Bloody Disgusting.)

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  • http://profile.yahoo.com/OBRCN6ALS4VRYPSNRYJGDBKONQ JustMe

    I hope it doesn’t become a movie.  It’s a ‘long form’ type of series, not a quicky 90 minute movie.  What is so great about the series is the character development and the struggles they face.  You can’t get that in a 90 minute movie.  TV was perfect for the comic, as it was long form as well…

  • Anonymous

    With the quality of the TV show we are getting a small movie every week.
    A movie wouldn’t be able to explore anywhere as much of the world as we get to see on a TV show.

    A movie would have to circle around Rick and his family leaving everyone else with a line here an there.

    For example look at the Star Trek TNG films.  They all revolve around Picard and Data. No one else gets anything beyond a couple lines or a small scene. Where the TV show could give back ground characters like Barclay their own episodes.

    Similarly with Firefly/Serenity. Everyone in the show got an episode to shine, even with the small number of episodes. But with the movie, the focus is really only on Mal and River. Everyone has much smaller part. And if they make more movies, they will continue to focus around Mal and River as they are the core of the show.

    The rest will have good parts, but they will be smaller. There would never be a serentiy movie centered around Wash, Kaylee, Jayne, Book, Inara or Simon. I could see it center on Mal and Zoe if it’s a war related story.

  • http://www.facebook.com/spencer.sumwalt Spencer Lee Sumwalt

    The film needs to be – The Walking Dead: The Rise of the Governor

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=656749466 Kyle Saunders

    Kirkman has repeatedly stated that the intent of TWD comic was that it *wasn’t* a zombie movie. He wanted to explore what happens to both the characters and the world around them following a zombie apocalypse with an emphasis on the long term.

  • Daniel Head

    It depends to how a movie would tie-in with the series (comic or show). 
    I could easily see a movie based on the initial outbreak (while Rick
    was comatose), wouldn’t even have to be based on per-existing characters, could be all new original characters
    (look at Daryl- original character for the show, and has easily become a fan favorite). 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=9363295 Scott Bechtel

    If it’s like X-Files where it takes place in between seasons then use it as the season ender where it’s the Governor’s final attack on the prison (and that mass genocide of half the book’s cast). Something that big would fit perfect for the screen.

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