The Scream star came close to landing the villainous role before Jeffrey Dean Morgan was cast
Summary
– Matthew Lillard was a top finalist to play Negan in Season 7 of The Walking Dead
– He surprised producers with his dark, menacing audition
– Jeffrey Dean Morgan ultimately got the role, but creator Robert Kirkman had rooted for Lillard
Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s performance as Negan became one of the most iconic in The Walking Dead’s long run—but it almost wasn’t him. During a panel at Walker Stalker Con in 2022, actor Matthew Lillard revealed that he was nearly cast as the bat-wielding villain.
Lillard, known for his roles in Scream, Scooby-Doo, and Five Nights at Freddy’s, said he had no prior connection to The Walking Dead when he auditioned. “I didn’t watch the show, sorry,” he admitted. Still, his audition made an impression. After an intense callback, Lillard was told the role had come down to him and one other actor: Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
At the time, AMC’s casting team searched for someone who could blend charm, brutality, and unpredictability. Lillard showcased a darker side than fans were used to, delivering a performance that surprised the producers. Even series creator Robert Kirkman was enthusiastic about Lillard’s potential, later telling him he thought he “should’ve been Negan” after seeing Morgan’s face on the show’s merchandise.
Ultimately, the role went to Morgan, who brought an intense, grounded energy that helped define Negan’s twisted moral code. His portrayal helped make Negan one of TV’s most memorable and polarizing villains—but it came with drawbacks. Morgan has spoken about the backlash he still receives from fans over Negan’s brutal introduction in Season 7.
As for Lillard, not landing the part didn’t stall his career. He’s continued working across genres, most recently starring as the sinister William Afton in Five Nights at Freddy’s. Though he didn’t get to bring Negan to life, his near-casting adds an intriguing “what if” to The Walking Dead legacy.
