Maggie & Negan in TWD: Dead City Trailer is a Love Story Nobody Asked For
It appears the forthcoming spinoff may ruffle the feathers of the renowned zombie series' loyal fanbase.
AMC currently finds itself in a precarious position as two of its flagship shows, The Walking Dead and Better Call Saul, have concluded, leaving the network searching for its next blockbuster hit.
Meanwhile, the network's producers seem to retain faith in the future of their zombie franchise, having commissioned several spinoffs featuring fan-favourite characters.
Among these, Dead City is particularly exciting for fans, who eagerly anticipate the prospect of Negan and Maggie exploring a post-apocalyptic New York.
AMC is heavily invested in ensuring the upcoming spinoff meets high standards. The short trailer promises a narrative complexity that extends beyond the simple pairing of two popular characters. Fans have lauded the network for the slick and proficient direction of the show, yet one aspect continues to irk them - the potential romance brewing between Maggie and Negan.
While both characters are beloved by fans, the idea of them as a romantic couple has been met with resistance. Many argue that Negan and Maggie are unsuited for each other, suggesting their chemistry works better in the context of friendship rather than romantic involvement. Yet, some flirtatious scenes in the trailer hint at the characters moving towards a romantic relationship, much to the fans' chagrin.
‘That's the dumbest idea I have ever heard in my life. And if that actually happened, I would be done with the entire franchise. I'm already getting close to that point already but that would push me way past it,’ a fan complained, and many others have echoed the feeling.
There's a prevailing sentiment among fans that they will stop watching the show if Negan and Maggie get involved romantically. Viewers are questioning why producers can't maintain a storyline with two lead characters simply as friends. They hope that Dead City will not follow in the footsteps of other shows by forcing Negan and Maggie to become lovers, allowing them to remain good friends instead while using other, less overused plot devices to keep the audiences engaged with the series.
The Walking Dead: Dead City is set to premiere on AMC on 18 June 2023.
Source: Reddit.