Contrary to what was reported last week, executive producer Gale Anne Hurd of AMC’s runaway hit show The Walking Dead refuted the news that Frank Darabont has fired the writing staff for the show. Hurd calls the news “completely inaccurate” and offered this about the status of the writers:

“[In] the writers’ room, there are people that have set up other projects that will be their first priority if their own series is picked up as a pilot or if it’s a series. I think [Charles “Chic” Eglee] just decided that he wants to run his own show.”

This is of course contrary to what Deadline reported last week.

Additionally, Hurd confirmed that the principal cast (whose characters are still alive) are signed on for multiple seasons of The Walking Dead. However, legendary makeup artist Greg Nicotero who created the look unbelievably realistic look of the zombies on the show may be striking out on his own directing an adaptation of Drive In by Joe R. Lansdale (Bubba Ho-Tep, Batman: The Animated Series). Hurd talked about Nicotero’s availability:

“We certainly hope he’ll be back. As with everything, it’s subject to availability. But he’s a very important member of the team as are his colleagues at [Nicotero’s effects house] KNB. KNB will still be [doing] our makeup effects.”

Read more about The Walking Dead here.

[Source] EW