Walking Dead's Expanded Universe Will Save the Ailing Franchise

WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for both The Walking Dead and Fear The Walking Dead.

The complexion of AMC's The Walking Dead has changed drastically since it premiered in 2010, a shift that's noticeable now more than ever thanks to the show's six-year time jump. Only two members of the original cast are still left -- Norman Reedus' Daryl Dixon and Melissa McBride's Carol -- following the departure of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Maggie Rhee (Lauren Cohan) this season, and the death of Ricks son Carl (Chandler Riggs) in the one before.

When Rick left the show, though, came the revelation that the series will branch off into a trilogy of movies tracking his future. That the three films and other spinoffs, from movies to television shows to digital content, are in the works shows how ambitious and expansive the studio wants the property to get. Now, while some fans may think this is AMC trying to milk the franchise for what it's worth, this direction could actually be what revamps the zombie-infested universe Robert Kirkman and Co. created over at Image Comics.

TWD'S Expanded Universe Makes For Better Storytelling

With these spinoffs, AMC can dive deep into plot beats that would have either been glossed over, used as sub-plots deserving of more time, or stories that would simply be rushed. With dedicated movies and shows for such crucial arcs, there's time to properly flesh the narrative out and give each development its necessary screen time, not to mention the potential for the exploration of other countries and societies during these trying times.

Bits and pieces of the narrative that would have dragged on forever can be succinctly mapped out in a cohesive universe similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with everything and everyone being pulled together to paint one comprehensive picture at the end. This not only aids the overall story of The Walking Dead, it helps with character development as everyone would get their due in the limelight.

NEXT PAGE: Expanding the Universe Can Fix The Walking Dead's Previous Mistakes

Showrunner Angela Kang and her predecessor, Scott Gimple, have made it clear these spinoffs and side-stories can occur in any timeline, and can even be animated instead of live-action, so there's no limit to what can be done. That said, it's not just about the present or the future (as per the first set of movies planned with Rick following his carting off in a helicopter), but it's also about stories from the past. This way, The Walking Dead now has an opportunity to correct mistakes of the past.

The creative team can dive into stories they didn't give just treatment back in the day, such as the relationship and tension between the Dixon brothers, how the Governor turned from a citizen into a villain, Lori's rash affair with Shane, or why Father Gabriel went crazy. These developments always felt tacked on and hurried for the sake of plot convenience, proving that not everything from the comics translates perfectly to the screen.

Some things need to feel organic for this visual medium, so such missteps with backstories and characters' origins/histories (whether they're dead or alive right now, it doesn't really matter) can be remedied via additional series, aka trips down memory lane.

Expanding The Universe Has Worked Before

Fear The Walking Dead may have finally caught up to The Walking Dead's timeline -- with Morgan crossing over there permanently -- but prior to that, it gave us a high-octane adventure about folks outside of the communities Rick and Co. experienced. After so many seasons of drama with Rick, Michonne, Maggie, etc., it was a breath of fresh air to see a new society that wasn't Alexandria or its neighbors. Now, while the show's ratings may not be what it was before, FTWD still has done well and continues to add a new perspective to the zombie outbreak.

Fear The Walking Dead Season 4 Nick Morgan

Therefore, no matter what, segments of the fan base will digest content tied to these spinoffs. All it takes is proper structuring, focusing on the right characters, and side-quests fans want to see. If FTWD was able to garner an audience, it's easy to see folks rushing to see what happened with Rick, Negan's origin story (as Jeffrey Dean Morgan has hinted at), or the fate of Maggie away from Hilltop with her son, baby Glenn. The point is, once intrigue is there, interest will follow.

While the plot may meander at times, TWD prides itself as a character-driven story with a vast array of unique individuals, so all AMC has to do is pick the right ones, cleverly work in new ones/angles (like the future adventures of Rick Jr. and Judith), then build it. And as with FTWD, the fans shall inevitably come to soak in the full scope of this zombie-infested world.

Airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC, The Walking Dead stars Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Lennie James, Alanna Masterson, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.