Andrew Lincoln says Rick is “willing to die” to defeat Negan on The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead season 8 premieres on October 22 and star Andrew Lincoln says Rick Grimes is ready to die in order to beat Negan and the Saviors.

During last week’s New York Comic Con, The Walking Dead actor Andrew Lincoln discussed the differences between the broken man Rick Grimes was in season 7, and the new man willing to die to win the war with Negan, in season 8.

As Digital Spy reports, Lincoln referred to Rick Grimes as a shark, in that he has to keep moving or he will die.

"I think he’s ready for battle. I’ve always said that Rick is very much like a shark. He needs to keep moving, otherwise, he dies. Giving him something to do with his grief and pain is essential. Kicking Negan’s ass is as good a reason as any."

Negan certainly put Rick through a whole lot of “grief and pain,” as Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s over-the-top villain killed fan-favorites Glenn and Abraham in the most brutal way possible. He then kept the pressure on Rick and the inhabitants of the Alexandria Safe-Zone to forage for food and weapons, weapons Negan did not allow them to keep.

Lincoln confirms the Rick of season 7 is gone, replaced with a man who’s willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to win this “All Out War” with his nemesis.

"I think he’s very focused. You saw him in the beginning of the scene last season on his knees, but he’s a completely inverted Rick. He’s a man who’s willing to die. He’s free for all intents and purposes."

Next: The Walking Dead season 8 clip shows Carl on the hunt

We’ll find out just how far Rick is willing to go, when The Walking Dead returns to AMC on October 22, for its eighth season.