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For a second consecutive time, The Walking Dead is reaching within to replace a showrunner. The series’ supervising producer Scott M. Gimple is finalizing a deal to become executive producer and new showrunner of the hit zombie drama series. Gimple is expected to convene his writing team to begin work on Season 4 in the next two weeks. He replaces Glen Mazzara, who exited when Walking Dead was renewed for a fourth season last month. Mazzara in turn succeeded The Walking Dead creator/director/original showrunner Frank Darabont several episodes into production on Season 2. Both Darabont and Mazzara were removed from the series. Mazzara’s departure is said to have been done under pressure from Walking Dead executive producer Robert Kirkman, on whose comic the TV show is based.
While controversial, the transition from Darabont to Mazzara proved seamless, with the series continuing to break ratings records, including in the blockbuster recent fall portion of Season 3 whose premiere stands as the top-rated fall telecast on broadcast or cable. Gimple has been with The Walking Dead since the beginning of Season 2 when the show established a writing staff. He currently serves as supervising producer. This season, Gimple wrote the Nov. 18 episode Hounded and the penultimate Season 2 hour, which airs on March 24. The Walking Dead returns with originals Feb. 10. Gimple, repped by UTA, Thruline and Ziffren, also has worked on series Chase, FlashForward, Life and wrote a script for the upcoming Starz drama Da Vinci’s Demons. On the feature side, he co-wrote Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance.
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So excited! Scott is awesome! Loves the source material and has the chops! Great news!
A once exciting show is now being run by the screenwriter of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Well done.
If you know anything about the business of screenwriting you know how studios have final say in the script. Who know what Fox was forcing down the writers throats at that time. This was also around the time fox released Daredevil and Fantastic Four which were also crap. Plus the guy CO wrote the script. And how long ago was that? All writers have written turds before. It just so happens Gimple’s turd actually got made into a movie. In Kirkman I trust!
BJ,
Just to clarify: Ghost Rider: Spirts of Vengeance was Sony, not Fox, if that’s what you’re insinuating.
~
Coat
Fox is everyone’s whipping boy for everything.
I am happy that they retained someone from the previous administration to handle showrunner duties. I am sure that the show will have continued success under the control of Gimple. The Walking Dead is my favourite franchise which is why I cringe a tad when I notice he co-wrote Ghostrider SOV
I won’t lie…any affiliation with the Ghost Rider films has me concerned about quality.
So I guess Robert Kirkman has approvals?
Why have they not give Kirkman the showrunner title?
Gimple rocks. Solid guy, great writer. AMC’s lucky to have him.
Scott’s cartoon Fillmore! is legitimately the most underrated cartoon in TV history — and I don’t say that hyperbolically. And he’s responsible for some of the best TWD episodes to date. Fantastic choice.
If Robert Kirkman was showrunner, the show would be canceled very quickly. This is why it is a major disaster to have an author affiliated with the adaptation of their printed work. They know nothing about the cinematic process and they only hinder the creative process.
Because he obviously just wants the fun and acclaim without the pressure of being a showrunner.
That is what I heard from someone claiming to have inside information. That person said AMC actually offered Kirkman the showrunner job after Darabont left and Kirkman refused it. Kirkman doesn’t want to deal with any petty administrative matters. He wants a showrunner to take care of those headaches and just implement HIS (Kirkman’s) vision for the show. Obviously, Hollywood pros expect to be the person in charge of the creative if they have the showrunner title. They do not want to be a comic book writer’s puppet.
Dude co-wrote GHOST RIDER and the directors completely rewrote the dialogue… that’s how features work. Lay off, Laser Cats.
I’m still in shock that this show would fire Mazzara. THe show was so good. Kept getting better with every episode. Now they hire a film writer who did Ghost Rider, one of the worst comic book movie translations in years? Very bummed. Worried immensely about quality of my show now.
He’s already written 4 of the better episodes of the series (203,207,210,306). This is a great move. The show will continue to be good. I was afraid it would really suffer but looks like it won’t.
Who is Gimple’s #2 going to be? I mean, after all, we need to know who’s going to the showrunner for season 5.
Scott is a super smart, hard working, incredibly creative guy with the highest possible standards. WD will thrive with him at the helm!
Scott is one of the best screenwriters I’ve ever worked with. Smart, thoughtful, and a very good guy. Most importantly for this material, he’s got integrity: he never wants to sell out the characters or the story for a cheap pitch. The show is in great hands.
If Kirkman is not big on show runners for his idea, and they gave him the job, I’m pretty sure the show would have to run all year. Each episode, would be one of the comics. Not that I have an issue with the show running all year. I love the show. A zombie show about the people more than the creatures. Thank you Walking Dead, let’s hope you continue on in your full glory.
You are wrong about when spirit of vengeance was produced it was not out at the time of daredevil or FF. spirit was the 2012 movie.And by far was the worst of the 2 ghost rider movies.
Scott’s a true writer’s writer and his WD episodes are the best on offer. No doubt he will improve an already good show.
Scott is a great and smart guy. But upping him to Showrunner is a pretty good indication that most experienced Showrunner’s in town have heard the nightmare of AMC and refuse to work for them. I hope he knocks it out the park, and he probably will, but there is no chance he landed this without 5 other experienced people turning it down.
i know scott was the first choice. please don’t comment on what you don’t know
Scott’s a great guy who managed to keep his head down and write some great episodes in a toxic environment. Maybe AMC wanted somebody who’s talent wasn’t eclipsed by their ego. It’s nice to see the good guys win once in a while. Go Scott!
Are your serious? Man that movie was horrid! I guess if they screw up this show I can just go to dish network!