Shaggy Almost Became the Most Iconic Villain in The Walking Dead!

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Among TV’s most memorable villains, Negan from The Walking Dead immediately stood out for his impactful introduction, embodying his role with clarity. Despite moving on to a redemptive arc in the spinoff series The Walking Dead: Dead City alongside Maggie after the main show ended, he remains a significant figure, leaving a lasting impression. Interestingly, Jeffrey Dean Morgan was not the initial pick for Negan; another actor almost took up the mantle of one of The Walking Dead‘s most enduring antagonists.

Initially, Morgan wasn’t the first pick for the role. Interestingly enough, the actor who was nearly cast for it had already established himself by 1996, and upon learning his identity, it becomes quite clear why he would have been suitable.

Matthew Lillard is well-liked for his roles such as the jovial Shaggy in the live-action “Scooby-Doo” movies, the chilling Steve Raglan/William Afton in “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” and, not forgetting, the psychotic killer Stu Macher in “Scream.” It isn’t confirmed that his portrayal as one of the Ghostfaces is what drew the attention of “The Walking Dead” creator Robert Kirkman and the production team, but it certainly wouldn’t be unexpected. Given that both Negan and Stu possess a menacing vibe, it’s plausible that this could have been the case. However, we don’t know exactly how this almost happened or why the part eventually went to Morgan instead.

As Season 7’s filming started, the production team sought an actor capable of embodying Negan completely; this character combines brutality, charm, and a twisted moral compass. At this point, discussions included names like Lillard, Timothy Olyphant, Garret Dillahunt, and Matt Dillon. Lillard stepped up to the audition, demonstrating versatility through his act – transitioning from his familiar light-hearted style to the ominous and intimidating persona needed for Negan.

During a Scream panel at Atlanta’s Walker Stalker Con in 2022, he spoke more about the experience.

Lillard disclosed that he received a call saying he’d be auditioning for “The Walking Dead,” a significant role. He admitted he hadn’t seen the show, but responded with enthusiasm. Upon his impressive audition, they expressed interest in him for the part, but he felt it was likely to go to someone else. Despite his doubts, he was asked back for another round – this time for a more dramatic reading. It was then that he learned the role was between him and another actor, Morgan.

Based on the actor’s account, his acting performance genuinely took the casting team by surprise. Nevertheless, after more deliberations and assessments, the producers decided to give the role to Morgan instead, who infused the character with a stronger energy, a unique aura, and a portrayal that encapsulated all the moral ambiguity of Negan. If viewers found both fascination and fear in the villain, it was largely due to the depth Morgan added to the role. It’s intriguing to speculate about Lillard playing the part; it might have signified a significant career milestone for him.

It’s intriguing to note that the creator of “The Walking Dead” appeared genuinely excited about the possibility of Shaggy’s actor playing a role. At the same event, Lillard mentioned that Kirkman had personally approached him. Later, Lillard revealed that when he saw Morgan’s image on the show’s merchandise, he felt it should have been him instead. Despite Kirkman showing clear support for him, in the end, it wasn’t sufficient to secure the role.

Despite not getting the part, Lillard’s career has thrived across different genres, and his versatility is a significant factor in maintaining audience admiration. It’s intriguing to learn that he was seriously contemplated for such a complex character, but perhaps it wasn’t so unfortunate to dodge the consequences of playing someone like Negan. In fact, Morgan himself has admitted that even years later, he still encounters backlash from fans upset over his character’s actions in the infamous episode where a beloved character was killed by Lucille. Playing such a deeply villainous character as Negan can be indelible – but it undeniably comes with its price.

The Walking Dead is available to stream on Netflix.

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2025-04-14 05:13