The Slick Way Norman Reedus Took Home A Few Props From The Walking Dead
Few characters elicit such universal adoration from fans of "The Walking Dead" as Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus). Not only is he one of the few characters to make it through all 11 seasons of the famously kill-happy show, but he has also shown actual growth. From an angry and disaffected young man always in the shadow of his toxic and racist older brother Merle (Michael Rooker), Daryl has grown into an honest and loyal member of any band of survivors lucky enough to have him. To the point where, even when it seemed he had joined the Commonwealth, fans were convinced it was all for show.
In an interview with CNET, Reedus says that he fought for this character growth. Originally, Daryl was created more like his brother by "The Walking Dead" writers: interminably angry and just as unrelenting in his bigotry as Merle. "He should have grown up with it, felt ashamed of it, and wasn't comfortable with who he was," said Reedus. "That allows him to grow into somebody you respect."
And of course, it doesn't hurt that he's an ace with a crossbow. What's more, Reedus has helped us believe for all these years that Daryl is just as resourceful and savvy and brave as he's written. When you hear about how Reedus managed to so slyly abscond with a few of Daryl's props from "The Walking Dead" set, you start to see why.
Reedus just walked out in full costume
Speaking with People Magazine, Norman Reedus said that, in the midst of all the emotions and chaos of the final day on the set of "The Walking Dead," he apparently just walked out wearing all of Daryl's costume. "I walked out with my entire outfit. I just, I didn't change clothes," said Reedus. "I was hugging people and crying and saying goodbye to everybody that I just ended up driving home in my outfit. So I have all of it."
Granted, Daryl has never worn anything too outlandish. Most survivors of the zombie apocalypse wear something durable but simple out of sheer expediency. In other words, unless he was walking out in full Commonwealth armor, he wouldn't have raised any eyebrows. What Reedus didn't reveal though, is how he managed to make off with so much more of Daryl's accouterment, including the crossbows. "I think I have like eight crossbows now, which is crazy," he said.
Agreed. Particularly because, given their size and novelty, he doesn't say how — other than the props department simply gifting them to him. In any event, AMC will probably have ample opportunity to get its crossbows back when they start filming its Daryl-centric spin-off.