The Walking Dead zombies move from comic books to TV and now to fans
Two of the biggest attractions at the Tampa Bay Comic Con this Sunday was Larry Mainland and Sonya Thompson. On the surface it appeared that the long line of fans were just fans of the show, but these two zombie actors soon made it clear that the fandom was much more appealing that just the AMC show.
UPDATE: Both Mainland and Thompson joined Dispatch Radio at the beginning of season 4 to reflect on the show and their casting – listen below
From Zombieland to Contagion, Thompson and Mainland have a resume full of credits portraying the undead.
“I worked in several Indy films so they (casting) called me and next thing I know, I wasn’t just in Zombieland, I was an instructor at their zombie school,” Thompson explained.
Mainland retold the story of how he was caring for his son, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007, when in 2010 the extras casting call was a chance to try something new.
“Greg Nicotero said I had ‘the look we’re looking for,” Mainland said. When pressed to explain, he added “When they need to save time, they can use me. Just follow the lines, it only takes about 30 minutes.”
Embracing their roles as zombies in the hit show, Thompson clearly could relate to fans passion for the show and the realism.
“I think it’s amazing. I had nightmares after the shows…everyone looks so real,” she told fans.
Larry revealed he’s played four different zombies and one additional mock up for a promo and then he transformed into Contagion Larry by pulling out a different hat.
“The scene got cut, but it’s in the trailer. I’m right up against the car yelling at Laurence Fishburne. It’s a great scene,” Mainland excitedly detailed. The shot in the trailer is at the 1:32 mark, but Larry explained: “There’s a shot of the camera right on my face. Maybe it’ll make the deleted scenes.”
Larry Mainland on ‘The Walking Dead’
Mainland’s next project is his favorite.
“I play one of the featured ghouls (number 2) in the film “Level Up” and get to battle the teens.” While he had to maintain the secrecy of the project, he couldn’t stop praising the team and the project. “Level Up” debuts on the Cartoon Network November 23 at 7pm EST.
One of the crowd pleasers was the amazing artwork by Sonya Thompson featuring detailed rendering of herself, Larry and other zombie art.
While she doesn’t have a website to sell the art online, she can be contacted on her Facebook fan page here.
So from Entertainment Weekly and other magazine covers to Comic shows, these two zombie actors have already been on an amazing journey. Judging by the fan reaction this weekend, that journey is only beginning.
Larry Mainland and Sonya Thompson Tampa Bay Comic Con November 13,2011 Photo/Brandon Jones
For more about Sonya Thompson check out her website Professional Zombie
http://www.thewalkingdeadfanclub.com/larrymainlandinterview.htm
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