John Hawkes on "The Walking Dead" as The Governor. Sounds pretty awesome, doesn't it? Too bad it's not going to happen.
Legendary horror FX guru Tom Savini dropped a bombshell in a recent interview, saying that "Walking Dead" producers were targeting Hawkes for the coveted role of Philip Blake, the psychotic zombie-killer who declares himself the Governor of Woodbury. Apparently, it is not to be: speaking with The Wrap, Hawkes' publicist states quite plainly that "John is NOT appearing on The Walking Dead."
It's a shame -- Hawkes has been huge in the indie scene for quite some time now, churning out an Oscar-nominated performance in "Winter's Bone" and a celebrated Sundance turn in "The Surrogate." Bringing him to "The Walking Dead" would have guaranteed a note-perfect adaptation of The Governor, a new addition to AMC's roster of unforgettable villains like "Breaking Bad" baddie Gus Fring, played by Giancarlo Esposito. Hawkes has the look and the chops to nail the Governor perfectly. On the off chance that you're reading this, good sir, I implore you to reconsider: you would be fantastic on this show, and your Emmy would be all but guaranteed.
Anyway. That's not happening now, it seems. Good news for Tom Savini, though, who has championed himself for the role of Blake.
"I have been campaigning to be the governor on that damn thing with Greg Nicotero for over a year," Savini said recently. "Everytime I see the graphic novel, and I see a picture of the governor, who looks just like me, I send Greg a picture. I just won't give up."
Source: MTV
The Walking Dead - Season 3 - John Hawkes Not Cast According to Publicist
2 Feb 2012
The Walking Dead
Sign Up for the SpoilerTV Newsletter where we talk all things TV!
I wonder who it'll be.
ReplyDeleteToo bad, that would have been truely awesome. Not really interested in seeing Savini as the Governor, he just isn't a good enough actor.
ReplyDeleteDon't know much about the governor, but it sounds like Hawkes as a psychotic zombie killer would be a natural. Who the heck is Tom Savini?
ReplyDeleteDamn. He was excellent in Winter's Bone.
ReplyDeleteTom Savini was in the original Dawn of The Dead (then a cameo role in the 2004 good remake from Zack Snyder). Okay guy, but not an awsome actor. I would much more have someone like John Hawkes in that role as The Gov. They need a actor that is good and can play badguys in this role. Hawkes is one of those actors that aren't really famous, but has a damn good ability to act.
ReplyDeleteoh nooooooooooooo
ReplyDeleteI had read somewhere else that he is about to start filming a role in an Elmore Leonard book adaptation called Switch. Shooting starts in May.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm hoping that his publicist's word is not final, and that the film he'll be doing will be done in time to start filming on the Walking Dead...
Since there's a lot to get through at the prison, could the governor be revealed quite late in the season? If not Hawkes then I hope they get someone just as good. Just not Tom Savini, I respect the guy as a make up artist, not an actor...
I'm sure it'll all work out. So far, this show has done a great job with all of its castings.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of either one...
ReplyDelete