Norman Reedus Wants A $20 Million Raise For “The Walking Dead”

The Walking Dead’s ratings are currently lower than the groan of a zombie with a shovel to the head, and some fans believe it has jumped the shark.That may be so, but Norman Reedus clearly plans on jumping that shark with millions in his pockets.

The Walking Dead’s ninth will premiere sometime later this year. It will be the last season for the main character Rick Grimes, as actor Andrew Lincoln recently announced he’s leaving the show. That means Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon, will be bumped up to the #1 spot on the call sheet. Along with that fancy new call sheet position, The Hollywood Reporter says he’s currently negotiating a new deal that will get him $20 million.

Sources tell THR that Norman’s contract was up at the end of the eighth season. He reportedly negotiated a new contract when it was announced that The Walking Dead would be back for a ninth season. Norman is currently shooting the new season in Atlanta, but after it was announced that Andrew’s leaving, he’s been trying to get more money. Andrew is rumored to only appear in about nine episodes of the ninth season.

The last time The Walking Dead had a salary re-negotiation, Lauren Cohan ended up getting phased out of the show (she too will reportedly be in about six episodes of the ninth season). Since The Walking Dead sort of depends on their sill-human characters, it’s probably unlikely that Norman’s salary increase will end with a script that says “Episode One: RIP Daryl.”

$20 million is a lot for a season worth of squinting and growling at extras in facial prosthetics. But I can see why he’s asking for so much. Norman is going to be a dad again. And I’m sure while he’d be fine with wrapping his kid up in an old Crown Royal bag, his lady Diane Kruger has more refined taste than that. I’m sure disposable Baby Chanel bouclé diapers don’t come cheap.

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