"The Walking Dead" cast and crew were on hand at the sold-out SDCC 2012 to debut a never-before-seen trailer for Season 3 and to introduce new cast members on their packed panel in Hall H. They also addressed concerns that many fans overall weren't happy with Season 2, and they sure turned out in hoards at the recent San Diego Comic-Con to ask all about that, and more.
Who's new?
The beautiful and buff Danai Gurira will play zombie-slaying badass Michonne, and British character actor David Morrissey will be take on the coveted role of the antagonistic Governor of Woodbury. I remember the big campaigns from actors on that one -- at one point, F/X man and horror icon Tom Savini was in the running!
Chopping with cherries
Gurira had to learn how to sword fight for her role and went on a natural vitamin routine. "I started taking tart cherry pills," she said. "Very good for the joints and the muscles. I didn't know if I was going to be able to do what Michonne has to do in 100 degree heat, but with those pills, I'm fine."The show's executive producer Gale Ann Hurd concurred, telling the fans, "Michonne kicks ass with a katanna sword! The intensity level is incredible; we've got our cast inoculated now, the new people realize just what they're in for and the level that we expect, and they've become just as passionate about 'The Walking Dead' as we all are."
Check out some of Gurira's swordplay here in the brand new Season 3 trailer: "The Walking Dead" Season 3 Comic-Con Trailer.
Georgia peaches bring on the heat
And about that Georgia heat? Gurira isn't the only one who struggled with acclimation. Morrissey said he was completely unprepared for the Southern humidity (even though he did shoot "The Reaping" in Louisiana a few years back). Morrissey joined the cast as a fan and he compared "The Walking Dead" to his work on "Doctor Who," in that both are labors of love with all involved.
Parties, sausages, and otherwise
Returning cast members Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Laurie Holden, and Lauren Cohan were also on the panel, and they took questions from the audience. My favorite was Yuen's reply to a tried and true Q - he was asked if he thought he'd survive if he were in a real zombie apocalypse. He said he's lazy, but if there were a lot of lovely ladies around, he'd try and stick it out. However, he added, if it turned out to be "a sausage party" he'd lay down and let the zombies have at him.More zombie hoards, please
As for the zombies, there will be lots more in Season 3. Robert Kirkman, who created the comic book series that the TV show is based on, promised viewers can look forward to some big surprises and lots of horror and action by season's end.
"The Walking Dead" returns Sunday, Oct. 14th, at 9PM and will consist of 16 episodes.
