Walking Dead’s Greg Nicotero talks directing series finale and more
By Renee Hansen
In the newest Empire Magazine edition, Walking Dead director and SFX master Greg Nicotero writes about his experience during the eleventh and final season of the series. Nicotero has been part of the series since the very beginning. This is a bittersweet time within the fandom, and it is difficult to imagine the thoughts and feelings of someone involved in the series in so many different ways is feeling right now. Nicotero shares his in his own words.
Nicotero directed the final episode titled “Rest in Peace,” which will air on November 20. This is a nod to the comic series’ final volume with the same title. He shares that he asked to direct the finale, but he was certain that showrunner Angela Kang and Walking Dead Chief Content Officer Scott M. Gimple always intended for him to direct this episode.
He goes on to share that he felt the pressure of ending an iconic series like this on a high note.
"“It’s a pretty amazing episode,” he writes. “I put my heart and soul into it. It was rough."
He told Norman Reedus, his friend and business partner, who plays Daryl Dixon in the series, that if he can direct the final episode of The Walking Dead, he can tackle anything that comes his way.
The Walking Dead – Greg Nicotero
In an interview with AMC, Nicotero shared that he has been involved with the series since before it was greenlit. He was pleased that the original creators grasped how unique zombie mythology is. He believes that the series created a “modern boom” in TV.
The first episode he directed for the series was “Judge, Jury and Executioner,” which was one of the first episodes current showrunner Angela Kang wrote. This was the episode where the group at the farm was deciding the fate of their prisoner Randall.
Nicotero often portrays walkers in the series and shared at Norman Reedus’ recent Walk of Fame ceremony that Reedus has killed him over 30 times. He will suit up as a walker in the final episode as well.
The Walking Dead returns to AMC on October 2 for the premiere of the last eight episodes of the series.
You can read Nicotero’s full article by purchasing the latest edition of Empire Magazine online.
Next. The Walking Dead: Lauren Cohan shares favorite scene from season 5. dark
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