This Sunday we go back in time to see what happened when Rick was in a coma, but we are in a very different location, with very different characters.
This isn’t the first time zombies have taken over cities. The trailer of Fear the Walking Dead reminded me of Shaun of the Dead, just without the laughs. Then there’s Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later, Night of the Living Dead and the list goes on.
Zombies appearing is not a new thing. The Walking Dead brought a fresh perspective and great characters to tell the story. It also jumped right into the chaos. We didn’t see how it all started.
Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd told Entertainment Weekly at Comic-Con that there won’t be any police officers leading them into the apocalypse this time. She said the characters are “like the average person.”
That would explain why the trailer reminded me of Shaun of the Dead. Sean Pegg’s film is one of my favorite zombie movies, not because it’s hilarious, but because it feels very real. I can totally see that happening and playing out the way it did in the film.
If Fear the Walking Dead can take that realness and add the scariness of The Walking Dead, they may just have something.
The actors on the show are not calling this a spin-off. They are quick to call it a companion series. It take place in a different time and place than the original series. This is very different than most spin-off shows. They will be no opportunities for crossovers.
You can now see the first three minutes of the premiere and it starts out pretty slow. It’s not even until 2:25 that the music kicks in and the show gets going.
Frank Dillane opens up the pilot playing Nick Clark, a junkie looking for his girlfriend, but stumbles upon the zombie apocalypse. This young actor made his film debut playing 16-year-old Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Now he’s opening up a TV show.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG-RCYWhl_w]
There a few up and comers starring in this zombie show: Lorenzo James Henrie (Chris Manawa) and Mercedes Mason (Ofelia Salazar).
There are some known faces too. Kim Dickens (Madison Clark) is known for guest starring on shows like Deadwood, House of Cards and Sons of Anarchy.
Cliff Curtis (Travis Manawa) is known for films like Training Day, Three Kings and Live Free or Die Hard.
Rubén Blades (Daniel Salazar) is known for Safe House and Predator 2.
Spin-offs are so popular because it’s a known and successful brand and broadcasters want to capitalize on that. I love The Originals and I loved Private Practice, so it can work. Private Practice only last five years and Grey’s Anatomy is continuing on. Angel only last five years too after leaving Buffy for his own show.
In order for this show to work, these characters need to make fans fall in love with them just how they fell in love with the cast on the original show. It always comes down to the characters. Even if you have a great compelling storyline, if the characters aren’t likable, it won’t work.
Are you ready for a new chapter in The Walking Dead story? Do you think going back from the beginning and telling how it all began was a good idea? Or do you think they should have just stuck with The Walking Dead? Will you be watching?
Fear the Walking Dead is premiering Sunday on AMC at 9/8c.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDxew5SguVw]
