"The Walking Dead' showrunner Scott M. Gimple recently opened up about the highly anticipated villain Negan from the comic books being finally introduced in the sixth season of the hit zombie drama series.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Negan could finally hit the small screen by the end of the upcoming season.
"It's absolutely a possibility. And when I say it's a possibility, we have a plan in place, but there's a couple variables for that plan that we're deciding about," Gimple explained. "It really depends on a few factors as we move into setting up the last bit of the season story-wise."
Owing to the fact that Negan is one of the biggest antagonists in the source material, Gimple and other "Walking Dead' executive producers are ensuring that they would develop the TV version of the evil character as based on what is shown in the comics.
Moreover, series creator Robert Kirkman dropped hints during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year that Negan's storyline should be deemed as a major one.
"That moment would be something that we would build up to in possibly ... substantial way," the comic book writer said about Negan's long-awaited introduction to the hit AMC series. "It wouldn't just be an aside or a wink and nudge. That would be a pretty monumental event that would possibly be something we would shape an entire season around. So, I wouldn't expect that to just be kind of slipped in casually."
In another interview with Entertainment Weekly, Kirkman also explained why the "Walking Dead' team has always been careful in bringing fan-favorite characters, such as Negan, into the TV adaptation.
"When it comes to characters like The Governor, Michonne, Abraham, and others like Jesus and Negan who are fan-favorite characters in the comics, it's always a challenge to get it right because it's those characters -- much like Rick Grimes in the beginning -- that fans already have a sense of and expectations for," he said.
Meanwhile, website Nuke The Fridge previously claimed that "Vikings' star Kevin Durand has been asked to take on the role of Negan. However, in his recent Reddit AMA, the Canadian actor clarified that the villainous role has not been offered to him.
"A lot of people seem to think I've been offered the role, and that's not true," Durand stated. "But 'The Walking Dead' fans have been approaching me asking about Negan for quite a while. I think he's an incredible character, what an awesome ride that would be."
He also explained why he has had a busy schedule over the past months, including his role in the historical drama series "Vikings' as well as the horror drama program "The Strain,' based on Guillermo del Toro's book trilogy of the same title.
"At this point in time, shooting 'The Strain' and 'Vikings' takes up most of my year," Durand explained. "[But] if they didn't bring Negan in for like another three years then I would be honored [to play him], I'm a huge 'Walking Dead' fan.
"The Walking Dead' season six is set to make its premiere on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 9 p.m. on AMC with a special 90-minute episode.
