Since the first moment of the first episode of The Walking Dead, fans of the graphic novel have been sharing theories about how AMC might handle heavy hitter Negan’s love for foul language. As the season 6 finale approaches The Walking Dead is preparing to finally unleash Negan’s reign of terror on the series. With Negan’s arrival comes the issue of his frequent use of “fuck”. Of course censors will be there waiting, with their panties in a bunch.
Entertainment Weekly sat down with The Walking Dead’s creator Robert Kirkman and the series’ Executive Producer Greg Nicotero to find out how the profanity problem will be handled. We do know that the scenes featuring Negan in the season finale, where he makes his first appearance, were filmed twice. Once with the script that is filled with Negan’s normal profanity laced language and another version with the profanity toned down to a minimum (insert eye roll).
“I would say there are certain words that try as I might, we are not allowed to say on AMC, and those are certain words that Negan likes to say.” Kirkman told EW. “So those words are going to be filmed, and people are going to be able to get those words, but there are definitely some broadcast limitations that we’re going to have to deal with. We’re sorting that out now, but I will say that, worst-case scenario, the extras will be extra-special on Blu-ray. I mean, we’re trying to explore some other more interesting options, but that’s the bare minimum of what we’ll be doing.”
It sounds like viewers will have to fall in love with “Negan-Lite” and pick up the Blu-ray months from now to meet the hard-core foul-mouthed Negan the rest of us know and love.
Negan’s real life counter part will be played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Morgan should look familiar, he played the role of John, Sam and Dean Winchester’s father on the hit series Supernatural. Morgan has also appeared in a host of films including Watchmen (2009), The Possession (2012) and Red Dawn (2012). When I heard the announcement that he was cast as Negan I was excited. I think he’s a great fit for the role.
