Frank Darabont Leaves "The Walking Dead"

Shocking news out of the AMC hit series.

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Shocking news out of the AMC series The Walking Dead... even more shocking than some of those zombie deaths from the first season. Deadline reports that Frank Darabont has stepped down as showrunner on Dead, effective immediately.

No word as to why Darabont decided to leave the show--he was at Comic-Con with The Walking Dead last weekend and seemed excited about season two--but it could have something to do with a burning desire to go back to feature films; Darabont directed The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. Or, perhaps Darabont just didn't like the grind of television. Or perhaps...

The ultimate cause of his departure may never be known, but it is happening. He's not completely off the show--per Deadline, negotations are being held to allow Darabont to remain in some capacity--but he will no longer be in charge. Who replaces Darabont is up for debate, but Glen Mazzara may step in to run things in the interim. He used to work on The Shield and was brought in at the end of season one.

[via Deadline]

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