Walking Dead Walkout Actor May Be Revealed, Maybe Now Circling Lead In Frank Darabont's Next Show

[BC Blog Poster]

You may remember that not long ago rumours were flying about, regarding a cast member from The Walking Dead who had requested to be released from their contract amidst the Frank Darabont resignation/dismissal drama, only to change their mind just in time for their request to be granted. Well...

Darabont is currently working on a TV pilot for a cop show called L.A. Noir (which I am reliably informed is not based on Rockstar's video game LA Noire), and it has been revealed via The Hollywood Reporter that Jon Bernthal, who plays Shane in The Walking Dead, is tipped for the lead in Darabont's new project. If chosen, he would once again be playing a cop, this time at the centre of a drama about the LAPD's mission to bring down crimelord Mickey Cohen.

It's not hard evidence that Bernthal was the cast member who threatened to walk out, but seeking a lead role in Darabont's new project is about as close as it's possible to get as yet. Variety reporter Jeff Sneider seems to have suggested that Bernthal is the unnamed cast member from earlier speculations.

It's not yet known whether Bernthal will be appearing in The Walking Dead after the end of season 2 , and so this news introduces the possibility of shooting schedule conflicts as well as loyalty division. Will we soon be seeing the last of Shane? Well, if the rumours are true, Bernthal has already been released from his contract.

[jephd]

Cool. Mostly because I like Darabont and Bernthal, am looking forward to LA Noir and think Bernthal could pull it off, from the descriptions I've read. But also from a story perspective.

Possible comic book 8 year old Spoilers



I like the extended love triangle story and other elements that shane surviving longer has brought, but I've said from day 1 that shane's end was essential for the development of his killer (Carl). Shane's behaviour has been becoming more dangerous during season 2 and i can totally see season two having a "Don't hurt my dad" denoument.

[BigAl6ft6]

I think having still-alive Shane has added a lot to the show. In the barn story arc, the zombies just kind of escaped and they had to cap them all. Having Shane lose control and tear the freakin door off the barn added way more drama. Also, I would have liked to see how the Prison stuff would have worked out if Shane was there. Hopefully, just rumour.

[Jay Kay]

Huh--I would have presumed it would be the guy who plays Dale, since he's apparently a favorite of Darabont (remember him being in Green Mile and The Mist at least). I hope that if that is the case, they give Shane a hell of a send-off.

[MyInfiniteAbyss]

Yeah, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts the walkout rumor was the Darabont-regular who plays Dale, and this is completely unrelated.

[PastePotPete]

I recall reading at the time that several actors asked to be let out of their contracts, but the producers only granted one. So I guess we know which one.

[longtimereader]

Im always waiting for Shane to die based on his comic book life time, so him leaving isn't too terrible although what they have done with him on the show has been good so far. What's going to be interesting is if they follow the brutal fates of others in the group.

[absherlock]

Good. Don't get me wrong, I like Bernthal but I feel that having Shane exist past where he did in the books is damaging Rick's character on the show. He's too mild and sensitive to make up for Shane's "macho" and overaggressiveness - it's almost as if the show's writers have taken Rick's character from the book and split it into two different characters for the show.

[notthathard]

I don't like Shane, so I am all for anything that gets this creep off the show!

[FitzTheRuke]

I doubt that he's the actor the rumours were about. More likely his character is finally facing his inevitable end, and Durabont snapped him up afterwards. Much as I like Bernthal's Shane, it's about time he's done with, and I'll be happy to check out LA Noire. Win-win in my mind.