Matthew Lillard Almost Played Negan

Matthew Lillard, known for his role in the "Scooby-Doo" franchise, recently shared that he was a near-casting for the pivotal role of Negan in AMC's "The Walking Dead." Lillard disclosed in a podcast appearance that he auditioned multiple times for the character, even getting callbacks.

According to Lillard, the series creator Frank Darabont informed him that he had been offered the part of Negan for approximately ten minutes. Lillard expressed that he envisioned a more "wicked and funny" performance, contrasting with Jeffrey Dean Morgan's more "super badass and masculine" take on the villain.

Darabont confirmed this during a chance encounter at San Diego Comic-Con, stating Lillard "had the part for like 10 minutes." This brief window occurred before Jeffrey Dean Morgan's representatives reached out, confirming his interest and subsequent casting. Lillard acknowledged Morgan's iconic status as Negan.