Jeffrey Dean Morgan Reveals Lucille’s Return in ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Season 2

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The debut of “The Walking Dead: Dead City” at CannesSeries was a memorable event for Jeffrey Dean Morgan, its star. After leaving his handprints on the Cannes Walk of Fame, he attended the premiere with his actress wife Hilarie Burton and their two children, expressing his gratitude as it felt like a tremendous privilege. In an interview with EbMaster following the trip, Morgan couldn’t help but share his admiration for both his real-life family and the one he formed while working on “The Walking Dead” series.

He remarks, “The significance of the Walk of Fame event cannot be overstated.” He continues, “Having my family present made it all the more significant. My affection for my children and wife knows no bounds. My wife had never visited Cannes before; my daughter hadn’t walked a carpet until this day, but she handled it with such grace, as if she’d been doing it her entire life. Both of them adapted swiftly. I was certain by the end of our first day that Gus would soon be signing deals with Paramount – he was simply captivating.

Titled “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” this new series serves as the initial sequel to “The Walking Dead” and is the fifth installation within the franchise. It focuses on the fan-adored anti-hero Negan, played by Dean, and his arch-nemesis Maggie (portrayed by Laura Cohan), as they venture into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, which has been isolated from the mainland for some time. This season delves into the escalating conflict over controlling New York, with our leading duo finding themselves on opposing sides in this ongoing war.

When asked about his feelings as he approaches his tenth year portraying Negan and his plans to carry on in the foreseeable future, Morgan admits it’s “crazy.” He explains that acting as Negan has become such a significant part of his life for so long that he can hardly imagine it ever ending, unless he decides that he is too old to continue. However, he acknowledges that he is getting very close to that point. He finds it intriguing, particularly while working on this spinoff with characters who want to kill each other most of the time, because he had never thought such a concept could work. Yet, here they are, preparing for season two and discussing the possibility of more episodes. Time will tell.

Initially, I thought my stint on “The Walking Dead” would span just four seasons when I debuted in the climactic Season 6 finale. However, the ingenious creative team kept luring me back with fresh perspectives and compelling story arcs. In my initial scene, I hopped aboard a speeding train, while today, I’m at the helm of my spin-off, welcoming fresh faces like Dascha Polanco and Gaius Charles on board.

He modestly admits, ‘I’m unsure if I qualify as a conductor,’ but he adds with pride, ‘I seem to have become one of the seasoned members.’ He expresses, ‘I feel like I’ve earned my rankings. It’s been 10 years now, and that’s quite some time.’ He goes on to say, ‘This isn’t an easy performance in any aspect, be it mentally or physically challenging. So, I’m astounded by the fact that I’m still managing to carry out my responsibilities.’

Morgan, co-executive producer with Cohan, admits that his preferred aspect is the creative role. He particularly enjoys making choices regarding the cast and crew, as they become like family. After all, he’ll be spending half a year with them, working 14 hours a day, so it’s crucial to surround himself with people he genuinely likes, avoiding any unpleasant personalities on the set. Morgan praises ‘The Walking Dead’ for consistently choosing outstanding individuals, many of whom remain his friends even after their characters have left the show. He can’t say the same about many other jobs he has held.

As a captivated viewer, I can’t help but appreciate the relevance of “Dead City” that delves into themes of greed, resource struggle, energy as a commodity, and the exclusive nature of privilege – issues strikingly resonant with our times. What truly sets this franchise apart, as Morgan suggests, is its ability to encapsulate not just the spirit of the era, but also the existential dilemmas that define humanity. At its core, “Dead City” has never been about zombies or walkers; it’s always been about people and their struggles.

The actor shared an interesting insight given by “The Walking Dead” writer and producer Scott M. Gimple, who mentioned that the original concept for the series was designed with slow-moving zombies, or ‘walkers’, because they were meant to be defeatable. While it shouldn’t be too difficult to eliminate these slow walkers, the challenge lies in cooperation as people often fail to work together effectively. This theme of interpersonal conflict is central to the series and each version of “The Walking Dead”, serving as a thought-provoking topic for discussion.

For dedicated followers of this universe, “Dead City” offers a delightful surprise: the reappearance of Negan’s notorious weapon, Lucille. The bat adorned with barbed wire makes its comeback in a fresh form, significantly influencing Negan’s storyline during Season 2.

Morgan reminisces about his anticipation a year prior to filming, as he knew Lucille would return. He was filled with excitement. Morgan isn’t your typical prop actor; props can significantly shape characters for some actors, and he hadn’t experienced this until he encountered Lucille. Now, it all makes sense. Having Lucille back in his possession meant more to him than it did to Negan. Negan seems a bit unsettled by Lucille’s return, but Jeff was overjoyed. I cherish her so much that I refuse to let anyone else handle her. She accompanies me to my trailer and even to craft services. I keep her with me throughout the day and prevent others from playing with her,” he chuckles.

Morgan perceives Negan’s attachment to his weapon, Lucille, as a complex blend of “admiration and loathing,” because the reappearance of it mirrors the return of the characteristically dominant Negan from the series. “There’s a constant internal struggle within Negan, and Lucille plays a significant role in that. I believe she symbolizes a lot for him. When he destroyed her in ‘Here’s Negan,’ that was his attempt to eliminate a piece of his past, but now that destructed part will resurface in his world once again. Much of this season revolves around Negan learning how to cope with this resurgence.

Starting May 4, 2025, catch Season 2 of ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ exclusively on AMC and AMC+. Jorné takes the reins as showrunner and executive producer for this series, which Gimple oversees. Additionally, Cohan, Morgan, and Brian Bockrath are also executive producers.

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2025-05-02 16:47