The Rick Grimes movie trilogy is coming soon. But who will help Rick get back home? Here are 8 characters from The Walking Dead universe who should appear.
As season 10 approaches, talk continues to swirl around the Rick Grimes trilogy. Thus far, it’s pretty much speculation from fans of The Walking Dead, an odd wonder as not much has been tight-lipped about the series.
From the double-tap in the season 7 opener to the characters who ended up with their heads on pikes, the spoiler section of the fandom has been diligent about obtaining leaks. But now that the Walking Dead universe is hitting the silver screen, info has been locked up tight. Perhaps producers are taking a page from Kirkman’s playbook, and will greatly surprise us all for the films.
Though we may not know where, we do know that films based on Rick Grimes will at the very least cover a seven-year period starting with his helicopter ride.
Jadis/Anne aside, it is unclear who will appear in the Rick films, or where they will even take place. But, there is certainly a list of characters who should appear with our favorite ex-sheriff in theaters. From family to familiar faces, there are key characters who can help Rick navigate this land of Oz, as well as embrace him once he finally finds his home.
Note: If any Powers That Be are reading this, feel free to steal from this list, because wish-fulfillment is pretty damn awesome.
Here are 8 people from The Walking Dead universe we need to see in the Rick Grimes films.
MICHONNE
Michonne, I hope, is an obvious one. It’s true, the show has presented us with a Rick Grimes absence (and therefore a Richonne-loving gap) of six-plus years. But that doesn’t mean that the film can’t open with a memory, a dream, or a fantasy of his one true love.
In fact, as the films will be in theaters, I think it would make more sense to have a cold open with Rick reliving a happy memory at home with his family—Michonne and Judith—before waking up in whatever hell he has found himself in.
Even more than that, Rick’s relationship with Michonne sets the foundation and therefore the somber tone of the films. Rick is desperate to get back to his family; his sense of self and joy is irrevocably intertwined with his better half. For a man like Rick to lose his family is akin to him losing everything he has held dear.
When this reunion finally does occur, it will be all the more bittersweet knowing the precious time that he lost, and the moments he missed (such as Michonne’s pregnancy that he very enthusiastically campaigned for, the birth of his second son, Rick Jr., and watching his kids grow up).
As Ms. Gurira is leaving the show this season (BOO!) and is more than familiar with a movie set, it is my sincerest wish that she will eventually join Rick in the present day in at least one of the three films (though preferably two). If there was ever an ending to the Rick and Michonne story, it should end with them walking together hand in hand, with their children, into the rising sun. Even if we don’t see it, we will have the knowledge that their story continues.
JUDITH & RJ
In addition to the missus, where would Rick be without his beloved children? There would be true emotional weight for Rick to be reunited not only with Judith once again, but also with the son he never knew existed, Ricky Dicky Doo Dah Grimes Jr.
There are so many ways that this can play out: will he see them both and just know? Will Judith see her father, recognize him and call out, “Dad”? Or will he see her first, the worn yet familiar hat upon her head, a face like Lori’s, but a stance that was all Michonne and just know that’s his daughter?
And what of RJ? What will his reaction be to meeting the man who’s only heard of with love and reverence, a man who has only existed in photos and maybe a couple of videos? Will there be an immediate embrace, or hesitance and trepidation? If constructed in the right way, this reunion scene could be one of the most epic emotional roller coasters to ever exist within the Walking Dead universe, offering an emotional resonance that would enrapture the audience with Rick’s story more than before.
Whatever the case may be, I am sure it will leave some salty residue on my face or something like that.
HEATH
I know, I know. It’s like, “Lol, who? Oh yeah!” Right. Heath. The dude that disappeared randomly in season 6, and only left a bizarre key card behind.
Look, he may not have been a fan favorite, or even missed (there’s typically random mentions in regards to the confusion behind his absence), but he’s a familiar face. As a bonus, Corey Hawkins has been into films in a major way, giving additional cred with his name as part of the cast.
Heath is good to have not only as someone who’s existed prior and who knows Rick, but he’s also someone who can serve as a guide to Rick as he was taken like two years beforehand [presumably to the same compound]. He can become Rick’s reluctant partner in his escape before he is inevitably killed on the way out. Not that I’ve given this a lot of thought or anything. *whistles innocently* But seriously though, Heath provides familiarity to The Walking Dead fans and Rick at the same time in this new world.
Keeping in mind audience members who are totally unfamiliar with both of them can have Heath provide exposition and backstory into the narrative without it seeming heavy-handed, or bogging down the story. There’s no good reason to not utilize him.
MORGAN
Part of the intention of these films is to not only broaden the horizon of the franchise, but to further bridge the gap between the shows. Plus, they can give the proper conclusion to the Rick Grimes story. If this indeed the end, we must go back to the beginning.
Morgan was the first person to show Rick the way in the new world, a makeshift Obi-Wan who eventually went crazy, then sane, then crazy again, then runs away…but will never die on Rick to be a constant in his life who is there and ready to impart an important lesson or message.
Through the ups and downs, from Morgan stabbing Rick in his madness, to harboring a killer, to speaking against Rick publicly, their trust and friendship endured. Rick has made it abundantly clear that he will never turn his back on Morgan. What a relief it will be for Rick to see Morgan again after being isolated from everyone he knows for so long?
After Morgan’s departure from TWD to Fear The Walking Dead, the two never had a proper goodbye. As Rick’s other unofficial brother from another mother, it would stand to reason that during Rick’s exploits, he would come across Morgan (and his crew) on the long road home. And as he did before, Morgan will aid Rick yet again, back to his family.
ABRAHAM
In “What Comes After,” Rick stands amongst a sea of dead bodies, talking to a deceased Sasha across the way. I know that this was a replacement, as initially this was supposed to have been Glenn. I can’t recall an instant where Sasha and Rick had a heart to heart in life. But I always thought that the person who they should have had, who made the most sense for Rick and his story, was Abraham.
Abraham and Rick have had a number of poignant conversations and one on ones. He is the man who wrote on a map, “The world’s gonna need Rick Grimes,” a callback that would be incredibly fitting for the films.
Since Shane already helped Rick journey through in his last episode, I think it would be fitting for Abraham to help him through back to his family, serving as his spirit guide. The beauty of Abraham as part of the fabric of Rick’s story is that this character had a way with words.
Many recall his funnier sayings such as, “Bitch nuts,” but Abe was also a poet. His dialogue could transition the story and give a backdrop of poignancy to a scene. When Rick feels alone, or is questioning his next step, Abraham could appear for a moment, with a nugget of insight.
“The world has rotated a number of times since you’ve been away, that is true. But Rick, you’re getting a third chance when many of us rarely, if ever, get a second chance. Shit may be tough, but own it.”
Abe didn’t actually say that…but you get what I mean. Lol, writers.
MADISON
Madison is may not be the only Fear the Walking Dead cast member on this list, but she is the OG, where Fear officially starts. There have been murmurings in the fandom that Madison may indeed be alive. The last time she is on screen, she smiles before lighting up a bunch of walkers. It was suggested that she was consumed by the fire in her last heroic act, but we never see it. This is the only “death” that goes unseen, and therefore, unconfirmed.
Note: Let us not forget that Daniel once survived a fire in a basement. At least Madison wasn’t in a basement.
If this is true, Madison resurfacing on Fear the Walking Dead would be a waste compared to having her be “resurrected” in the Rick Grimes trilogy. Her story would be better served crossing paths with Rick Grimes, someone whose story parallels hers in many ways. She would be a delightful secret that [some] of the audience would be in on, much like Heath but perhaps on a greater scale.
For a time, many were rooting for Madison and Rick to be related, or at the bare minimum, to meet. This would be a second chance for all parties, and help further not only Madison or Rick’s story on their own, but also that of The Walking Dead universe.
CARL
Carl may be gone, but definitely not forgotten. Not by us, and certainly not by Rick. A revisited moment with Carl, as Rick’s first child and connection to the world both before and after the dead rose would be a poignant and wonderful precursor to Rick’s reunion with his family.
Unlike the proposal of a visit from beyond the grave like Abraham, Carl’s presence on screen could be a flashback of a totally mundane moment but with foreshadowing undertones. Maybe they’re playing a game, or listening to music, or repairing something in the house, and Carl could say something to the effect of, “I thought I lost it, but it turns out it was just misplaced. Took a while, but I found it,” ending with a smile at his dad. And Rick could smile and cry at the memory, and it’s wonderful.
This moment would be compounded by the fact that Andrew Lincoln is a bloody brilliant actor who wouldn’t even need dialogue to convey the level of emotion within the scene. And just as this scene and Carl’s presence begins to settle…
Enter Michonne and the kids stage left, embracing Rick in a way that Carl no longer can. And yet, we know, like Rick knows, that Carl is still there with him at that moment, making it more heartfelt and beautiful.
Yeah. I need that to happen. How about you?
Which other characters from The Walking Dead universe would you like to see make an appearance in the movies based on Rick Grimes? And what do you think of these eight options? Let us know in the comments!