WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS
This Sunday the very last episode of 'The Walking Dead' which will star Andrew Lincoln aired in the US. After eight years the actor has finally said goodbye to the role, meaning that Rick Grimes will leave the series. And although it has already been confirmed that this will be the last time that we see Lincoln in the fiction, AMC has just announced that the actor will return to the role of Rick in three films based on 'The Walking Dead' universe.
The fifth episode of the ninth season promised to be the last with Andrew Lincoln in the series, but while many people expected the death of Rick Grimes, the character will be able to appear in three films, as has been confirmed by Entertainment Weekly, who states that they are already in development. This is all thanks to Jadis/Anne (Pollyanna McIntosh), who at the end of the episode managed to save Rick in a mysterious helicopter, thus saving his life. We do not know where this helicopter is going, but it is clear that all shall be revealed in the film trilogy, the production of which is expected to begin in 2019.
This new chapter in the adventures of Rick is only the first steps AMC is taking to expand 'The Walking Dead' universe. In statements made to The Hollywood Reporter, the head of the content in the franchise, Scott M. Gimple, confirmed that we would be able to see new series based in the universe of the fiction, as well as seeing the return of already known characters in new digital content. Among all of this plan in the long run, the films starring Lincoln are not a novelty, as the actor himself began to look alongside Gimple for a way to continue Rick Grimes' story since the fourth season. While the original plan was to kill Rick in the eighth season, it is evident that this did not happen.
Andrew Lincoln Reluctant to Say Goodbye
Lincoln has become one of the most recognisable faces of 'The Walking Dead', and was also one of the key reasons for which we will be able to enjoy his return in three upcoming films. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter the actor confirmed that the original idea was for Rick to die, partly die to his intention to remain close to his family, but in the end they decided to continue the story, thanks to the actor's own interest in continuing: "I love this character [of Rick Grimes]; I love the world that we inhabit. So why don't we try to potentially continue this story in a different way and maybe complete his story".
Lincoln has not revealed any details about the plots of these future televised feature films, but has chosen to dedicate a few words to his fans to issue them that he will miss Comic Con due to "that one-on-one dialogue with fans and getting that direct feedback". While we wait for Andrew Lincoln's grand return as Rick Grimes, the ninth season of 'The Walking Dead' continues.
