'The Walking Dead' Cancels Comic-Con Press Events After On-Set Tragedy
"The Walking Dead" is scaling back a bit after the shocking death of stuntman John Bernecker during Season 8 production.
Fans should still expect the Season 8 trailer to drop tomorrow (Friday, 7/21) during San Diego Comic-Con, and the cast will still be there for the panel and autograph sessions. However, Entertainment Tonight reports that AMC canceled all other press events. So there will be fewer-than-usual interviews coming out of Comic-Con, beyond what's said at the panel.
Here's how the Los Angeles Times put it:
"Though the series will also offer a large interactive space at San Diego's MLK Park for fans of both 'The Walking Dead' and its sibling series, 'Fear the Walking Dead,' it is keeping a comparatively lower profile this year, presumably in the wake of the death of stuntman John Bernecker last Wednesday during the shooting of the new season.
Production on the show reportedly resumed on Monday. However, the show has canceled any further press events during Comic-Con weekend. Requests for comment from AMC about the decision have yet to be answered."
It's also possible they don't want to have to talk further about former TWD showrunner Frank Darabont's ongoing lawsuit, which recently got uglier with released emails.
AMC's initial Comic-Con press release had mentioned a "press conference available on Friday, July 21 from 5:15-6:15pm at the Hilton Bayfront." So it sounds like that's out. That same press release listed the "Walking Dead" panelists, including all of these people:
Stars Andrew Lincoln, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Norman Reedus, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Lennie James, Seth Gilliam, Alanna Masterson, Khary Payton, and Chandler Riggs; Executive Producer and Showrunner Scott M. Gimple; Executive Producer Robert Kirkman; Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd; Executive Producer, Director and Special Effects Make-up Supervisor Greg Nicotero; and Executive Producer David Alpert. The panel will be moderated by "Talking Dead" host Chris Hardwick.
That should still be happening.
"The Walking Dead" had paused production after Bernecker's death, but it resumed earlier this week. A Season 8 poster and premiere date were recently revealed ahead of the Comic-Con panel.
The Season 8 premiere, airing October 22, is also the series's 100th episode. Check out the first two photos -- of Rick & Maggie, and Daryl & Carol.
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