Exclusive

The Walking Dead Boss Has a Message for Fans Still Disappointed With That Season 6 Finale

Exclusive! Greg Nicotero asks fans frustrated with the AMC hit's season six cliffanger to have a little faith

By Billy Nilles Apr 06, 2016 8:13 PMTags
Watch: "Walking Dead" Finale Director Has Message for Fans

Negan came. He monologued. And he killed ... well, someone.

Still upset with that massive cliffhanger at the end of The Walking Dead's season six finale? Don't worry—you're not alone. The idea that we'll have to wait six whole months to find out which character met their maker (and that we'll also have to relive that horrific run-in with Lucille all over again once October comes) seems almost too much to bear. But for those of us up in arms, executive producer Greg Nicotero—the finale's director—has a message: Be patient.

""My message to fans is thank you for watching because their passion and their love for the show is what keeps us alive. And to trust us, because I know people feel like, 'Oh, you guys pulled the rug out from under us!'," Nicotero told E! News at a VIP Press Event for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, open to the public on April 7, at Universal Studios Hollywood on Tuesday. "People are angry and people are frustrated, and in a couple days, they might be less frustrated. By the time we're ready to back on the air, hopefully they'll be ready to watch again and continue our journey."

AMC

For Nicotero, any overwhelming reaction from fans is a good one because it means that they really care about the series. "We have tremendously passionate fans. Everybody has emotion about it and that's actually OK. We were still, and I'm still, very proud of the episode. I love the storytelling. I feel like it's some of the best acting that we've had," he added. "You know, it's a little unfortunate, but you know, the truth of the matter is, everyone's entitled to their opinion, their emotion. I think it just shows their heart is in it."

When asked whether there was ever a different plan for the episode's ending, one that wouldn't leave fans hanging for half a year, the special make-up effects wizard admits that what we saw was what we were always meant to see. "It was always intended to be shot the way that it was shot," he confirmed, matter-of-factly.

If Nicotero knows which character won't be around come season seven, he's not saying. "It's a matter of the scripts for the next season haven't come out yet," he admitted. "I mean, we start production in a couple weeks, so I'm headed down to start filming in a few weeks."

We have a feeling all eyes will be on the Atlanta-based set in about as much time in hopes of seeing who exactly doesn't show up to work.

For more from Nicotero, including his thoughts on what was even harder to film than anything involving Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Negan, be sure to press play on the video above!

Do you still trust The Walking Dead's writers? Or has this cliffhanger changed how you feel about the series for good? Sound off in the comments below.

The Walking Dead returns for season seven this fall on AMC.

-Reporting by Tierney Bricker

Watch: Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Shocking Message to "TWD" Fans