A casting breakdown reveals the show is looking for an actor to play 'a fiftysomething narcissist who has an angry streak, a 'Senator-like charm' and the charisma of a car salesman.'
- Sep 5, 2015
AceShowbiz - "The Walking Dead" showrunner Scott M. Gimple never rules out the possibility of introducing Negan in season 6, and it appears that the character is indeed coming to the show. The show is currently looking for an actor to play Rich, "a fiftysomething narcissist who has an angry streak, a 'Senator-like charm' and the charisma of a car salesman."
According to TVLine, Rick is likely not the real name of the character whose description sounds a lot like Negan. In the comic books, Negan is a psychopath who leads a group called the Saviors who don't really live up to their name.
However, Spoil the Dead (via moviefone) begs to differ. The site obtains a casting notice of the character which reads, "[RICH] 50s - early 60s. Please submit all ethnicities. Narcissistic, egotistical, quick to braggadocio and anger, his own skin is his principal concern. He feeds off the superiority of being in control, but he plays it off with Senator-like charm. He's vibrant, and has the charisma of a car salesman...GUEST STAR, MAY RECUR THIS SEASON, WILL HAVE SERIES OPTION FOR SUBSEQUENT SEASONS (7/16)."
Based on the full breakdown, the site suggests that Rich is more likely Gregory, who runs Hilltop. Described as the extremely vain and self-absorbed leader of the colony, he is known by many people at the Hilltop as being coward, yet he refuses to believe himself a coward.
While nothing is official about Negan or Gregory casting, executive producer and FX guru Greg Nicotero reveals that they will use digital effects to feature the walkers which start decaying. "We're doing a few things we haven't done before, which is digital augmentation of couple of walkers," he tells The Hollywood Reporter.
"We're moving noses and putting a cavity there. Taking the area underneath the ribcage and shrinking it down. Kind of Bernie Wrightson style. That stuff is what makes it more exciting because it gives us more opportunities."
"The Walking Dead" returns for sixth season Sunday, October 11 at 9 P.M. on AMC.
