Over the past 30 years, PaleyFest has held panel sessions and screenings that connect the worldwide community of television fans with the casts and creators of their favorite TV shows.  Kicking things off this year were the folks behind The Walking Dead, which is currently one of the most popular drama series on television, and Collider was invited to be on the press line and speak to some of the talent responsible for pushing the boundaries of storytelling.

While there, we briefly got the opportunity to speak with executive producers Robert Kirkman (who created the comic the series is based on), David Alpert and Greg Nicotero (who is also responsible for all of the zombie gore), as well as cast members Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Scott Wilson and Emily Kinney.  The actors shared their thoughts on the journeys their characters have gone on and where they’re headed, and the creative team gave some insight about wrapping up Season 3, the pressure of topping the previous season’s finale, looking ahead to Season 4 (which starts shooting in May), creating new and exciting zombie kills, and how they cast for the walkers.  Check out what they had to say after the jump, and be aware that there are some spoilers.

Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman, the hit AMC drama series The Walking Dead has returned for a third season, with higher stakes, more threatening human villains and, of course, plenty of zombies.  With tensions at an all-time high, the mysterious Michonne (Danai Gurira) decided to follow her instincts, in regard to the apparently idyllic town of Woodbury, its Governor (David Morrissey) and her friend, Andrea (Laurie Holden).

During this recent interview, co-executive producer/special effects make-up supervisor and designer Greg Nicotero talked about how the recent deaths and newborn baby are affecting Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his group of survivors, Rick’s delusions versus the Governor’s delusions, getting to introduce some iconic aspects of the comics, and how viewers will soon learn the fate of Carol (Melissa McBride), while actress Danai Gurira talked about Michonne’s decision, the challenges of maintaining the character’s intensity, how they adapted Michonne’s backstory from comic to screen, and how her companions were brought to life.  Check out what they had to say after the jump, and be aware that there are some spoilers.

Though in previous years TV panels were relegated to Sunday in Hall H at Comic-Con, this year the television shows invaded the 6,000 seater on Friday in a big way.  One of the most anticipated panels was for AMC’s The Walking Dead, and Nerdist’s Chris Hardwick hilariously moderated the panel packed with the series’ stars as well as creator Robert Kirkman and showrunner Glen Mazzara.  Hit the jump to read my full recap.

We’re just 20 days away from the biggest pop culture convention of the year with Comic-Con 2012 coming next month, and slowly but surely studios and TV networks are firming up their rosters of films and series that will take San Diego by storm. This week it’s AMC announcing their line-up of panels for the convention, and the trio of programs hitting the Con is no surprise.

The Walking Dead will make a triumphant return to the convention with an hour-long panel in Hall H moderated by Talking Dead host Chris Hardwick and including special guests like cast members Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Denai Guerrero and David Morrisey along with Executive Producer and Showrunner Glen Mazzara, Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd, Executive Producer Robert Kirkman and Co-Executive Producer and Special Effects Make-up Supervisor Greg Nicotero.  But that’s not all. Hit the jump for more.

After Frank Darabont stepped down as showrunner of AMC’s hit zombie drama series The Walking Dead, it was unclear who would step up to take the reigns of the show. Now AMC has given us the official answer with a press release announcing that the series’ Emmy-winning make-up effects artist Greg Nicotero will step up to take the job, and he’s also snagged a first-look deal for new projects at AMC in the process. However, Nicotero will be listed as a co-executive producer with Darabont still receiving his own executive producer credits despite leaving the series. Nicotero will also be directing an episode this season.

Nicotero has been doing make-up for over 25 years, but he’s also been a consulting producer on The Walking Dead as well. As for his experience as a director and showrunner, Joel Stillerman, AMC’s SVP of original programming, production and digital content says, “Greg’s talent extends well beyond the word of special effects make-up. He is also a truly talented director, and has an incredibly comprehensive understanding and appreciation for great storytelling. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Fantastic Fest can be a bit of a madhouse if anything runs late, which in this business, I have learned is quite common. Hell, I was called to come early to several interviews, and ended up interviewing way later than my originally scheduled time. Such is life, and you just get the interview done and move on… hopefully. Originally I had a roundtable press-conference style interview with makeup magician Greg Nicotero (just think of a horror film with great practical effects that you loved, and I bet he was involved in some fashion), but when the audio on his short United Monster Talent Agency decided to go wonky, the screening ran way late. Because of how late it ran, I was facing a 10 minute window before screening Ip Man 2 downstairs, and Luke Mullen (again, thanks Luke) actually allowed me to jump ahead and fit in a five minute chat. So, hit the jump for my all-too-brief interview with Nicotero as we discuss The Walking Dead, continuity, and his favorite vampire aesthetic.

AMC has released some new images from their upcoming show The Walking Dead.  While the show doesn’t premiere until October, AMC has been doing a great job releasing new images and videos almost every week.

I got to check out the footage they premiered at this year’s Comic-Con and can tell you The Walking Dead looks like something really special and I couldn’t believe what they were able to pull off in the footage.  If you’re a zombie fan, this is a must see show.  The only negative thing I can say about The Walking Dead is the first season is only six episodes, which means they better get started on season two asap!  Hit the jump for all the images that have been released so far.

Earlier in the day, the throngs of people who flooded Room 6BCD were treated to a panel discussion and trailer for AMC’s upcoming series The Walking Dead, based on the comic book by Robert Kirkman.  Following, I had the chance to sit down with writer/director/executive producer Frank Darabont, executive producer Gale Anne Hurd, special effects/makeup designer Greg Nicotero and stars Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Sarah Wayne Callies (Lori Grimes), Jon Bernthal (Shane Walsh), Laurie Holden (Andrea), and Emma Bell (Amy).

Their excitement for this project was evident, despite having travelled from shooting and low on sleep.  The series is shooting in Atlanta (the first indication of the desire to stay true to the source material).  They are about to go into shooting episode five of the first season’s six episodes.  Hit the jump to hear what they had to say.

UPDATE: Fox has asked us to remove the images.

If you’ve been looking forward to Predators, today is Christmas.  That’s because a TON of new images from the Robert Rodriguez produced film have hit the net and they’re after the jump.   The only thing to know is…if you’re trying to stay spoiler free, you might want to avoid the images.  You are warned.

If you’re a fan of makeup/creature/special effects in movies, you really should know who Gregory Nicotero is.  That’s because since 1985 when he worked on George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead, Nicotero has worked on over 100 movies and the company he formed with Robert Kurtzman and Howard Berger (KNB Efx Group) has worked on over 400 film and TV projects.  While I’d love to list the highlights, his resume is so insane you need to click over to IMDb and check it out.

So why am I talking about Greg Nicotero? Because when I visited the set of director Nimród Antal’s Predators last December in Austin, I was able to speak with him along with a few other online reporters.  While the cast of Predators were guarded when answering some of our questions, Nicotero was willing to talk about everything.  We talked about the differences between the new Predators and the classic Predator, how the movie is using mostly practical effects, what he had to do to get the suits ready in time, and so much more.  If you’re into makeup/creature effects, this is a must read interview.  Hit the jump to check it out: