Editorial: Darabont's "Walking Dead" story
So when it came out a few weeks back, that Frank Darabont had stepped down from AMC's "The Walking Dead" as #1 Producer and creator, most of us assumed that the break up with AMC was mutual, considering that it was also reported Darabont had talked with AMC about staying on the show in another role possibly. Most of us had assuemd Darabont had possibly become burned out a bit on the grueling schedule of shooting season 2, or maybe...had so many other projects cooking that he just couldn't devote as much time to "The Walking Dead" as he wanted or maybe needed to. But then, a recent THR article surfaced. Which reveals that the break up between Darabont and AMC, was definitely anything but "mutual". The article points out that when AMC slashed the shows budget for season 2 from $3.4 million, to $2.75 mlllion, it didn't sit well with Frank. Simply put, his displeasure was basically about seeing those who he worked with on the show become under-rewarded for a ton of work.
|
|
 |
Hence, his unhappiness with this move was so strong apparently, that AMC decided to part ways with him. And thus, Frank's number 2, Glen Mazzara, was set up to take his place on the show as the #1 Producer. However, the move didn't sit well with the shows cast and crew. Who apparently found it quite sinister that Darabont was allowed to show up at last months Comic Con event, to promote the second season of "The Walking Dead". Only to be sent packing 3 days after. Add to that, Frank had a great relationship with the shows cast and crew. A very vital and underrated puzzle piece to all of this. Nothing gets a cast and crew working hard on a show more than having that one person atleast on set, who they all like and respect. The cast of the series was apparently assembled for a lunch meeting with AMC programming VP Ben Davis, to be told about Darabont's firing. And expectedly, did not take it very well. Especially considering it was right in the middle of shooting season 2. The crew however, were told separately about the move. And were steamed about the lack of a clear explanation about why AMC had given Darabont his no pun intended...'walking papers'. |
They were simply told by AMC reps, "This isn't working." A pretty lame and yet highly corporate, excuse for canning the man who made season 1 such a huge success. The debut episode of "The Walking Dead" on Halloween 2010, brought in a whopping 5.3 million viewers. When the season concluded a few weeks later, the season finale brought in 6 million viewers. In between that, the show had heavy staying power, with it's viewership on eps between the series debut and the season 1 finale, staying quite steady and close to it's 5.3 million opening number. Yet in the end, AMC still decided to cut the shows budget, and when Darabont objected, they sent him home. As for Frank, he's staying quiet on the matter thus far. Not going to the media about anything. But the whole situation is a sad one nonetheless. It just goes to show that success does not always necessarily, breed more success. Nor does it breed job security.
Social Bookmarking
| | | |
TWITTER
FACEBOOK
