Fans of "The Walking Dead" comic books know that the Governor is one bad dude. The king-like lord of a survivors' enclave, he's scarier than the zombies and gives Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his crew a load of trouble.

So, you know, not just any actor could play him and, according to MTV, the top name being floated around the AMC show's production offices is... John Hawkes.

But we need to point out that the rumor is 100 percent in the realm of hearsay at this point. Apparently horror effects guru Tom Savini is a close buddy of "TWD's" own effects guru Greg Nicotero. Savini is so in love with the Governor role that he's lobbying to play the blood-hungry barbarian himself in Season 3.

"Everytime I see the graphic novel, and I see a picture of the governor, who looks just like me, I send Greg a picture," Savini tells MTV. "I just won't give up. Last time I talked to him about it, when I was in Los Angeles, he said they were going after a name for that part. I said, 'Who?' He said John Hawkes."

And we'd be pretty excited to see Hawkes join the cast -- he's definitely showed his sadistic side as "Winter's Bone's" Teardrop and we're anxious to see him make a meaningful return to TV after that unfortunate stint as Lennon on "Lost's" sixth and final season.

http://splashpage.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/governor_21.jpg

http://splashpage.mtv.com/2012/02/01/walking-dead-governor-john-hawkes-tom-savini/

Oh Tom Savini would be great.

TV: John Hawkes Will Not Be in "The Walking Dead"
Friday, February 3, 2012
By: Evan Dickson


Just recently Tom Savini (who is lobbying for the part) said that John Hawkes was the producers' choice to play Philip Blake, aka "The Governor", in next year's season.

Apparently that's not the case.





An update from Lilja's Library drops a bomb on that rumor along with some additional Season 3 tidbits.

"The small town of Senoia in Coweta County is about to become zombie central for the filming of a hit cable show 'The Walking Dead'. The show is scheduled to shoot in the town in May and construction of zombie sets will begin next week, which will involve 60 local carpenters.

Scott Tigchelaar of Raleigh Studios Atlanta says people can expect to see the town a little dirtier than normal to fit the look of the show... It was earlier rumored that John Hawkes would play Philip Blake, the psychotic zombie-killer who declares himself the Governor of Woodbury.

Now, it looks like that won't happen. Hawkes' publicist states quite plainly that 'John is NOT appearing on 'The Walking Dead'.'"

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/28206