During the New York Comic-Con, a preview for "The Walking Dead" season 7 was shown to the attending fans. The short three-minute clip did not reveal who Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) bashed to death, but it did hint that Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) would be losing his right hand, similar to how he lost it in the original comic books.
As reported by ComicBook, the clip shows Negan talking to Rick right after the former killed one of the main protagonists. He then asks Rick if the victim killed was Rick's "right-hand man" and then emphasizes how important it is for a leader to have someone they can call their "right hand."
Negan then asks his own right-hand man, Simon (Steven Ogg), for Rick's hatchet. Negan then drags Rick into an RV that is parked behind them. The clip is then ended, and it is uncertain if, at this point, Negan further punishes Rick by cutting off his hand.
In the original comic books, it was the Governor (David Morrissey in the show) who sliced off Rick's hand.
According to the report, executive producer and visual effects director Greg Nicotero further teased that Rick is indeed losing his hand when he stated, "I think it's safe to say that the axe could play a prominent part in the episode."
The report also points out that actor Andrew Lincoln requested for his character to lose his hand several seasons back when the Governor was still the main antagonist on the show. However, this request was shot down because of all the green screen and blue screen shots needed, as well as the budget required to constantly show Rick without a hand.
All of this may have changed now given how popular the series has become in the years that passed, and Rick may gain his signature look from the comic books if Negan cuts off his hand.
"The Walking Dead" season 7 premieres this Oct. 23.
