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Matthew Lillard Almost Landed Major 'The Walking Dead' Role
The actor reveals he was briefly in line to play Negan before Jeffrey Dean Morgan took the part.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:00pm
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The casting of The Walking Dead's iconic villain Negan was nearly very different, as actor Matthew Lillard reveals he was briefly in line for the part.San Diego TodayIn a recent podcast interview, actor Matthew Lillard disclosed that he had three callbacks for the role of Negan on the hit AMC series The Walking Dead, which ultimately went to Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Lillard said the show's creator told him he was set to play Negan for about 10 minutes before Morgan's agents stepped in and he landed the part.
Why it matters
Lillard's revelation provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the casting process for one of television's most iconic villains. While Morgan's performance as Negan is widely praised, Lillard's comments suggest he could have brought a unique interpretation to the character that may have resonated differently with fans.
The details
During a recent podcast interview, Lillard said he ran into the creator of The Walking Dead at San Diego Comic-Con for the Twin Peaks revival, and the creator told him 'You have no idea. You had the part for like 10 minutes.' Lillard said at that point, he would have had 'another 10 years of work' on the show. However, Morgan's agents ultimately called and said he would take the Negan role, which Lillard admits Morgan 'became a legend' with.
- Lillard revealed the information during a recent podcast interview.
- Lillard had three callbacks for the Negan role on The Walking Dead.
The players
Matthew Lillard
An American actor known for roles in films like Scream, Scooby-Doo, and the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again Season 2.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
The actor who ultimately landed the role of Negan on The Walking Dead, a performance that is widely praised by fans of the show.
The Walking Dead creator
The creator of the hit AMC series The Walking Dead, who told Lillard he had briefly been in line to play the villainous character of Negan.
What they’re saying
“You have no idea. You had the part for like 10 minutes.”
— The Walking Dead creator
“He's super masculine, and I just would've been more wicked and funny.”
— Matthew Lillard, Actor
The takeaway
Lillard's near-miss with the iconic Negan role on The Walking Dead highlights the unpredictable nature of Hollywood casting decisions, where an actor can be on the verge of landing a career-defining part only to have it slip away at the last minute. While Morgan's performance as Negan is widely acclaimed, Lillard's comments suggest he could have brought a unique interpretation to the character that may have resonated differently with fans.
