Darabont leaving The Walking Dead!?!?!?

[Doc]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...s%7CLatestNews WHHHHHYYYY!? This is disappointing given as, most thought the first episode as the best of the season.

[kidgloves]

No biggie. Midway through the 1st season Frank said he would be taking a backseat and returning to movies. He only became more hands on when the writing became an issue. They now have a settled writers room. If Kirkman walked away then I would be worried

[Neil]

More here - http://www.aintitcool.com/node/50567

[MinionZombie]

I wonder if this news is as accurate as that time he apparently 'fired the entire writing staff'.

[shootemindehead]

Not good.

[Rancid Carcass]

I wonder if this news is as accurate as that time he apparently 'fired the entire writing staff'. Yeah, it's probably just a weekend break to visit relatives or something... lol.

[bassman]

"Sources indicate...." Even if he does take a more minor position in the seires, it's no big deal. As Kid mentioned above, he's been saying from the start that we would step down from the head position as the show continued on. I was actually kinda shocked to see him return for season two. Hopefully we'll still get at least one more episode directed by him before he bows out. "I'm leaving Frank Darabont...."

[kidgloves]

If he was going to leave this would be the right time as well. I assume all the scripts are done so it leaves a long long period for AMC to reorganize before gearing up for season 3.

[sandrock74]

No need to hit the panic button until we see season 2. Then you can hit the panic button. LOL

[Rancid Carcass]

New showrunner found: http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/118/1184537p1.html I'm sure nobody will have an opinion on this...

[bassman]

No surprise there. What's not clear is whether or not Darabont will help finish up season two as the showrunner or bail out in the middle of shooting? I doubt it would matter either way as far as the "showrunner" title goes, but i'm just hoping he'll still direct the season finale. The best news is that he's still on board in some capacity. Not that I ever thought he would completely abandon his baby. He probably just doesn't want to spend every summer down here in the 100 degree heat.

[Eyebiter]

Wonder if Robert Kirkman will take a more active role in the TV series this season?

[Doc]

No need to hit the panic button until we see season 2. Then you can hit the panic button. LOL I guess I'm worried about his absence since the with the exception of the fantastic first episode (the only one written by him, I think).....well, the rest of the episodes were lower in quality and never reached the same height. Meh, who knows. Maybe, Season 2 will really surprise me.

[Thorn]

I have mixed feelings here, Darabont was a major champion of this entire effort and he clearly "got it" the man replacing him is viewed with a lot of respect in the industry... he is not however viewed with a lot of respect by fans in the know. Everyone I have talked have panned him for some horrible efforts (Crash, Hawthorne) in the past. That having been said he has been around a long time, and is a sound Writer/Producer (The Shield). As long as the material is already there and he is not allowed to go far afield I think we will be just fine. Also Mr. Darabont should remain a presence. The Shield was a hit but I was not a fan really, they pushed a lot of boundaries however and were not afraid to do things that other shows would never dream of doing. That could be a good thing.

[bassman]

I get the feeling as Executive Producer Darabont will still have an important role in the series. He'll help shape the stories and such, he just doesn't have to be on set for the entire duration of filming. This way he's still involved, but can also continue pursuing his other film projects.