AceShowbiz - Matthew Lillard came very close to portraying one of television's most iconic villains, Negan, on the hit AMC series The Walking Dead. During an appearance on Kristian Harloff's "The Big Thing Podcast," the actor shared that series creator Frank Darabont initially offered him the role, but only for a brief 10-minute window.

Lillard explained that he auditioned multiple times for the part, attending three separate callbacks. Despite his efforts, the production ultimately chose Jeffrey Dean Morgan to play the antagonist-turned-antihero instead. According to Lillard, while Morgan brought a "super badass and masculine" presence to the character, his own approach would have been "more wicked and funny," offering a distinctly different interpretation.

At San Diego Comic-Con, during a "Twin Peaks" event, Lillard recounted a surprising encounter with the The Walking Dead team. The show's creator told him, "You have no idea. You had the part for like 10 minutes." This brief period occurred before Morgan's representatives intervened, confirming that he would accept the role after all.

Lillard reflected on the missed opportunity, noting that had he secured the role, it might have led to another decade of steady work. Instead, the role of Negan grew into a cultural phenomenon, with Jeffrey Dean Morgan becoming a legendary figure within the franchise. Fans continue to celebrate the character, often seen at conventions in multiple Negan costumes.

The Walking Dead premiered in 2010 and ran for 11 seasons on AMC, becoming one of the most influential TV series in the post-apocalyptic genre. Meanwhile, since 2010, Lillard has continued his career with notable roles in the Scream franchise, various animated Scooby-Doo projects, and the Five Nights at Freddy's series.