The Walking Dead creator shares behind-the-scenes tribute to Sam Raimi’s cult horror classic
Summary
– Greg Nicotero revealed a deleted Daryl Dixon scene featuring a walker inspired by Army of Darkness
– The tribute paid homage to the Deadite captain from Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead franchise
– Nicotero continues his tradition of designing walkers based on iconic horror characters
The Walking Dead legend Greg Nicotero has unveiled another gem from the cutting room floor. The longtime director, executive producer, and makeup effects artist recently shared a deleted scene from The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon featuring a walker modeled after a creature from Sam Raimi’s 1992 classic, Army of Darkness.
The clip, which didn’t make it into the final episode, was a subtle nod to the “Deadite Captain,” one of the memorable undead figures from Raimi’s Evil Dead universe. Nicotero said he wanted to highlight the artistry of his special effects team, who recreated the design as a tribute to one of the most beloved horror franchises ever.
Nicotero has often included “Tribute Walkers” that reference iconic horror characters throughout his work on The Walking Dead and its spinoffs. Fans have spotted nods to classics like Dawn of the Dead, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Creepshow, An American Werewolf in London, and Day of the Dead—films that inspired Nicotero’s early special effects career.
Before joining The Walking Dead, Nicotero worked under the legendary Tom Savini on George Romero’s Day of the Dead, a collaboration that helped shape his signature style. His ongoing tributes are now a franchise hallmark, blending his love of horror history with the modern zombie world he helped build.
From Freddy Krueger-inspired walkers to Swamp Thing-style designs, Nicotero’s creations keep horror fans guessing what familiar face might appear next in the apocalypse. His latest reveal only adds to the creative mythology behind The Walking Dead’s undead legacy.
