Big fan of the comic, so this is excellent news.

Awesome news. I've only read a couple of issues, but I dug them.

I know. Though featuring a different type of zombie, I was hoping "Babylon Fields" would've made it. (I have the pilot, but haven't watched it yet.)

You should check out Dead Set a UK show/miniseries. That for my money is the better than any theatrical Zombie flick of the past 15 years.

For real.

This is great! I now have a huge erection. Its NOT the pleats.

Oh I have and it's great but way to short

wow a zombie tv show, sounds cool!

I just finished watching this and MAN! was that good. Reading the premise left me cold and I could not see how they could make it any good. They pulled it off though. I would put that up there with my top 5 (maybe very close to the top) zombie stories in any media (and zombie horror is my favorite genre).

Thank you Thrush for recommending it.

I might have to check Dead Set out. I read the premise and I didn't really like it either. I don't like Big Brother and I know it's huge in the UK. Is the BB concept merely used as a backdrop or is the show itself some kind of parody or satire of BB?

I am 100% with you. I loath Big Brother and its ilk and figured it must be a comedy or parody. It's not. It is dead serious, R rated, and gory. The filming of Big Brother is merely the back drop. I guess if I ever watched the BBC version I might even be more into it because apparently the actual sets and Big Brother hostess are used. I could never see a US show allow itself to be used this way.

Dead Set was awesome. I just finished watching all 5 eps (they aren't heard to find if you know where to look). I thought the plot was pretty damned creative and despite the running zombies, I think this definitely shows how well a Walking Dead series could be. I highly recommend you seek this show out and give it a watch.

I'm in.

This and Y: The Last Man are my most wanted graphic novels that should be adapted for the screen.

I can see the violence being toned down a bit and I don't have that much of a problem with it: the core is not Romero-level violence. The only part of the story I can see being a huge problem is the prison story. That would have to be majorly toned down, unless they can get Miike to guest direct.

Interview with Robert Kirkman:

http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/09/29...-drama-to-amc/

MTV: There's been some concern that the series might lose its edge being broadcast on AMC instead of one of the less-restricted networks like HBO or Showtime. Is that something you're worried about? Is that even a concern?

KIRKMAN: I had no concerns about that whatsoever, because one of the concerns I have about zombie fiction is when they rely too much on the shocking gore aspects. That's not really the point of "Walking Dead," so to a certain extant, I think it will work better at AMC—because it forces people not to rely on that stuff. As far as "Walking Dead" not having teeth on AMC, if you've ever seen [certain episodes of] "Mad Men" or "Breaking Bad," they push a lot of boundaries as far as content goes.

In fact, I just had a meeting with a bunch of the executives at AMC, and Darabont, and Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert at Circle of Confusion, and the executives were talking to Darabont about his script and they said, "You can't use the F-word." That was the only limitation they gave him. We were all stunned.

"Oh my heck! These darned zombies are an inconvenience to me!"

So exactly when is America gonna get over the word "fuck".
You all say it - why is it so bad to hear?

Especially when said show is already inappropriate for children. Kids already shouldn't be watching something like The Shield, for instance. What difference is an f-bomb going to make after all the violence, rape, and other amoral behavior on display?

The Shield, Rescue Me, Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad... these are all shows that show that you can be gritty and real without cursing.

Although correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember the word "fuck" being uttered somewhere in 'Mad Men' (although not in a sexual context) by Pete and under his breath. heh.

I also agree with Kirkman that this not being on HBO will be a good thing... it's more about the characters than anything else. I'm sure we'll get optimal gore though, lol.

Never. Didn't you hear? The 11th Commandment was "Thou Shalt Not Curse on Television nor show Janet Jackson's titties"

IE: Too many Bible Thumpers who don't want their little babies to be corrupted hearing bad language on TV when they should have been asleep already

The pilot has officially been greenlit:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...8&cs=1&ref=ssp

read about this earlier and looking forward to this!

AMC sends 'Walking Dead' to series


Continuing its perfect pilot-to-series track record, AMC has ordered at least six episodes of "The Walking Dead."

Actually, "The Walking Dead" is one step better than AMC's normal routine, because the cable network has sent the zombie franchise to series without even shooting a pilot.

Based on the Image Comics series by Robert Kirkman, "The Walking Dead" pilot was written by Frank Darabont, who will also direct and executive produce. Joining Darabont and Kirkman on the executive producing team are Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert and the newly added Charles "Chic" Eglee ("Dexter").

"The Walking Dead" will begin production in June in Atlanta. The six-episode first season will premiere in October 2010 as part of AMC's annual Fearfest Halloween celebration.

"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," says Charlie Collier, AMC President, in a statement. "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."

Kirkman's comic premiered in 2003 and has become one of the medium's landmark titles with its harsh and unflinching depiction of a world overrun by zombies and the increased desperation of the few surviving humans. The series' main character is Rick Grimes, a former police officer. There are dozens of other human characters, but it's best not to get too attached to most of them. In "The Walking Dead," anybody can die at any time.

So far, casting on "The Walking Dead" is in its early phases with only Jon Bernthal ("The Pacific," "The Class") attached, playing Grimes' friend Shane.

"'The Walking Dead' is that rare piece of material that plays on many levels," says Joel Stillerman, Senior Vice President of Programming, Production and Digital Content. "Kirkman's series brilliantly captures the social commentary and ongoing human drama of the zombie apocalypse; and let's us kick a little zombie you-know-what from time to time."

To date, AMC has ordered four drama pilots. "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad" are the network's Emmy-winning foundation. The political thriller "Rubicon" will premiere this summer.

SOURCE

Excellent - Darabont is one of the best. This should be great.

i can't wait!

p.s. great wildcards for the october challenge!

come on get AMC in HD already DirecTV!

i agree w/ ya Deftones!

October cant come fast enough now!