THE WALKING DEAD: Norman Reedus Eyeing Huge $20+ Million Deal; Lauren Cohan's Exit Now Also Confirmed

THE WALKING DEAD: Norman Reedus Eyeing Huge $20+ Million Deal; Lauren Cohan's Exit Now Also Confirmed

With AMC eyeing Norman Reedus as The Walking Dead's new lead, the actor is looking to cash in and secure a huge new deal. Meanwhile, it's been confirmed that Andrew Lincoln isn't the only one leaving.

News
By JoshWilding - May 31, 2018 02:05 AM EST
Filed Under: The Walking Dead
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Andrew Lincoln is set to leave The Walking Dead during season nine. The British actor will only actually appear in six episodes, a shock move which is going to rock the series to its very core. Now, it's been revealed that Norman Reedus - who plays fan-favourite character, Daryl - is looking to secure a new $20 million deal which will cement him as the show's new lead.

That's a big win for him and you can't blame the actor for looking to cash in on Lincoln's unexpected departure. Both of their deals ended at the conclusion of season eight and while Reedus is already shooting season nine as negotiations continue, he's expected to confirm this big money contract soon. 

It's also been confirmed that those plans to have Lauren Cohan's Maggie appear in only six episodes are because she's also leaving The Walking Dead. While it was initially reported that she might return in the second half of the season, the actress won't have time because of her role in ABC pilot Whiskey Cavalier. It also appears as if the network wasn't willing to pay her the same as her male co-stars.

Will you still tune into the series when it returns this fall? As always, share your thoughts down below. 
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Kyos
Kyos - 5/31/2018, 2:19 AM
Good for him, I suppose. If the show as a whole lasts long enough.
dracula
dracula - 5/31/2018, 2:57 AM
This show has been going downhill ever since the start of season two, and it became really noticable after season 3 and has only gotten worst
dracula
dracula - 5/31/2018, 3:01 AM
I stopped watching a long time ago. Daryl is great but he cannot work as a lead character. He is a great supporting character. He is like the character Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer

great character, but works better in a supporting role
Highball
Highball - 5/31/2018, 3:12 AM
The show now truly embodies its title.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 5/31/2018, 3:53 AM
Just led it die.. and I say that as someone who still enjoys the show for the most part. The ratings speak for themselves. Do they think they're going to improve when the main character exits?
Matador
Matador - 5/31/2018, 5:00 AM
5 to 1 bet Reedus is going to bounce too



Andrew - You see this run away!
TheGuillotine
TheGuillotine - 5/31/2018, 5:26 AM
Just let the show die. I had to force myself to watch this past season.
VoiceofReason
VoiceofReason - 5/31/2018, 5:37 AM
This all saddens me greatly, how wonderful this show once was.
Starlight
Starlight - 5/31/2018, 6:38 AM
I think the show got "too big"... there are too many characters ad you end up seeing each of them for 30 seconds... these whole changes would either turn the show in a different better direction or kill it.
fadersdream
fadersdream - 5/31/2018, 7:06 AM
@Starlight - That's why I don't like Game of Thrones.
LordHarryLatts
LordHarryLatts - 5/31/2018, 6:50 AM
The entire cast, especially Lincoln, has been horribly unperpaid for years. Get that money while you can, Reedus.
blitzburgh
blitzburgh - 5/31/2018, 8:47 AM
@LordHarryLatts - I don't understand with all this me to movement shit how no one is coming after AMC for not agreeing to pay Lauren Cohan the same as her male co-stars
BlackIceJoe
BlackIceJoe - 5/31/2018, 8:53 AM
It will somewhat be funny if Whiskey Cavalier gets cancelled. Hopefully Maggie won't be killed off and instead just not be shown, so you'll still think she is around.
This way Lauren Cohan can return to the series.
Tufasrox
Tufasrox - 5/31/2018, 9:51 AM
Felt this show was a little over its due date anyway. I think it would be best to let it die now.
VicSage
VicSage - 5/31/2018, 9:52 AM
This can only go down two roads, one more likely than the other.

The more obvious one, is this either becomes the show's last season or its penultimate one, as the ratings continue to drop and the writers struggle to move forward.

The second road, which is the riskier, more interesting one, and COULD revitalize the show, is it grants Rick and Maggie a respectable end to their characters, time jumps, and reinvents itself - pulling material from the comics even more loosely than previous attempts. The show would have to take some calculated but daring risks. In light of the new $20m deal for Norman Reedus, they would be smart to take advantage of that investment and see what they can do with this series.

I believe there is room on television for a compelling zombie show, but Walking Dead hasn't captured the magic of its first seasons in a long time now.

New writers, new showrunners, more horror, better developed characters.

Walking Dead can live, but it can't continue in its current state.
bigdannymac
bigdannymac - 5/31/2018, 10:18 AM
I would do a soft reboot/spinoff then ..

Essentially end the Walking Dead and have Norman lead a new show

Rick and Maggie still exist but don't appear with any regularity but could still be referenced

Rick IS the Main Character of the show .. especially with the Future (Carl) being killed off ..

Either way, this is a very obvious sign that TWD in its current form should come to an end .. I can't imagine a scenario where the show gets better when losing its Main Character and core of the show

Ask Two and a Half Men, Scrubs or That 70s show .. heck ask SmallVille how things went after Lex left and he wasn't even the lead

Or .. you know .. instead of paying one person $20M .. share the love to the rest of the cast. You can't tell me Andy would have turned down a massive deal like that.
TyrionLannister
TyrionLannister - 5/31/2018, 1:53 PM
Rather sad that AMC can't tell how big a disaster this is going to be. You really want to make the guy who grunts all of his lines the lead? Yikes, and you thought the ratings were quickly falling before...
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