Easily one of the best character creations in Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead comic book is the Governor, the insane leader of a group of survivors that tries to go medieval (tank-style) on Rick and his group once they are holed up in a prison. Fans have been clamoring for the character since the first season, and it looks like we are getting our wish.
The Wrap reports that producers of The Walking Dead have sought out Academy Award nominee John Hawkes (Winter's Bone) for the role, but he's not taking it. "John is NOT appearing on The Walking Dead," publicist Karen Samfilippo told the site.
Word first got out last week, when actor/SFX artist extraordinaire Tom Savini told Movieweb that he had been campaigning to play the role for over a year to Greg Nicotero, who told him they were reaching out to Hawkes instead.
Listen, I have been campaigning to be the governor on that damn thing with Greg Nicotero for over a year. Everytime I see the graphic novel, and I see a picture of the governor, who looks just like me, I send Greg a picture. I just won't give up. Last time I talked to him about it, when I was in Los Angeles, he said they were going after a name for that part. I said, "Who?" He said John Hawkes. Well, I never heard of John Hawkes. But then he reminds me that we were in From Dusk Till Dawn together. He is the guy at the beginning in the store that fires on them. Apparently he was up for an Academy Award. He was up for something called Winter's Bone. That's whom they are going after for The Governor. But everyone I talk to, the people that read the graphic novels...They've all said that I would be the perfect governor. Because he is tough and brutal. And...I look just like the graphic depiction of him!
I've never heard it confirmed that it was based on me. I wish the writers and the producers would remember that if I was. Because I'm available, and I want to do it. Tell everyone to vote: Tom Savini for Governor on The Walking Dead!
We couldn't agree more! Tom Savini for Governor on The Walking Dead!
