Showrunner discusses Season 5 and Spinoff Series 

THE WALKING DEAD Showrunner Discusses Season 5 and Spinoff Series

is one of the best and most intense shows on TV right now, and I can\'t wait for its return in October. Showrunner Scott Gimple recently sat down with Collider for an interview, and he talked about what we can expect to see in the upcoming fifth season. He also discusses the spin-off series being developed.

Here\'s what he had to say about remaining faithful to the comic:

"It’s funny – back in the day when I started season two, I was all ‘We must hem to the comic’ and Kirkman was like ‘Well – let’s have some fun. I’ve done this all before.’ I certainly won’t abandon iconic things from the comic. I definitely want to stick to the comic as much as possible but that’s also impossible with Daryl Dixon and characters that are alive but dead in the comic. There’s a butterfly effect. But that’s actually an incredibly fun part of the [show]. I would say that even the inventions we have on the show are inspired by the comic."

I like that they change things up for the series. It makes things interesting and unpredictable. He went on to discuss the structure of season 5 saying:

"[Season 5\'s] not mirroring [the previous season] completely… The challenge of the show is every eight episodes, it’s a whole new show. I will say that there may be some slightly familiar structural turns. But for the most part, it is going to be brand new versions of the comic story."

Gimple was then asked about the spinoff series, and if it will crossover with the original series:

"I have little to do with the spinoff… This I do know. It’s set in the world of The Walking Dead but from what I understand, it’s not like Daryl’s cousin or anything… I would never say never [to a crossover between the shows] because if I was a viewer I would say that sounds awesome. But we’re doing our own show. I also think a crossover might be tough because it would take a lot of [license] within the comic story. We’ll see. When we get to all-out war, who knows? We’ll add another faction. It’ll be the Saviors and the Hilltop and the ‘Spin-offers’."

As for an endgame to the series, there is one out there. The series will obviously eventually end. He just doesn\'t know what it is yet. He explains:

"I would say ‘Yes’ [there is an end-game]. I actually don’t like spoiling myself on the comic. I read it as I go. Robert’s offered to tell me the whole thing so I get general aspects of it. I know the emotional end game of the show but there’s practical aspects, I want to keep with the comic. With these characters, you definitely have to think of the emotional endgame and that is very much a part of where I’m headed. But I want to have the flexibility to change the practicals with the comic and I don’t want Robert to spoil the whole series for me."

I hope they keep the show going for years to come. As long as they keep the story and characters interesting I\'ll keep watching.  I\'m so excited about what is coming in this new season! 

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Joey Paur — Co-Founder / Editor of GeekTyrant.com, and if you haven\'t noticed I write… a lot. Movies are my passion and I live and breathe all things geek. This site is part of my life\'s work, it\'s a part of me. I love what I do, and I enjoy sharing everything I can with you when it comes to movies and geekery. In my spare time I travel to the netherworlds to battle demons. @JoeyPaur | joeypaur@geektyrant.com

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