While original series star Andrew Lincoln is leaving The Walking Dead, Norman Reedus isn’t receiving a hefty pay raise to replace him.
While promoting the upcoming ninth season of the AMC series at Comic-Con International over the weekend, Reedus denied rumors that he was in talks for a $20 million contract renewal to replace Lincoln as the series new lead.
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“There was a bogus story, a contract money story that hit the press; that was a fake story. It wasn’t even true,” revealed Reedus in an interview with MTV. “I got heat saying, ‘You’re gonna be the new leader’ Like, no one’s ever mentioned the word ‘leader’ to me.”
Following the surprise announcement that Lincoln would leave the popular survival horror series in the middle of Season 9, rumors arose that Reedus was being eyed to lead the cast after Lincoln’s departure. In addition to Reedus being the top-billed actor, it was reported that Reedus was the midst of negotiating a $20 million salary bump to renew his contract with the series in the lead role.
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“No one would ever take Rick Grimes’ place, it’s not possible,” continued Reedus stressing that the series would continue as an ensemble rather than take the lead. Whatever role Reedus’ Daryl Dixon will play in Season 9 stands to be revealed when the series returns this October.
The Walking Dead stars Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Lennie James, Alanna Masterson, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. The series returns on October 9 for its ninth season on AMC.
