Andrew Lincoln proposed the perfect ending for The Walking Dead back in 2017. While the ending ultimately went unused, Lincoln's idea for Sheriff Rick Grime's death would have made an incredible conclusion for both his character and the series. Rick left the main series in season 9 after an explosion meant to protect the survivor's communities from a walker horde washed him down the river; instead of using the ending Lincoln proposed, the showrunners opted to give Rick Grimes his own series of movies to wrap up his story.
In a panel during PaleyFest LA in March 2017, Lincoln described the ultimate finale for his character. Lincoln sets the scene, describing the group on a bus in a desert setting. Rick jumps off in a heroic move to distract a horde of walkers, and he is bitten by a walker. Letting those he cares about continue to safety, Rick patches himself up and waits for his inevitable end; but the end doesn't come. Realizing he might be a possible cure for the zombie plague himself, Rick stands to follow his loved ones, and an oncoming horde of walkers parts to allow him through. Though his delivery was met with laughter, Lincoln explained that producer Greg Nicotero urged him not to share it with too many people as it was a good idea, and creator Robert Kirkman called the whole tale "cute." Unfortunately, Rick's story has gone in a much different direction.
While Rick's current story has potential for a movie trilogy, it hardly feels like a satisfying ending in its current state. His character's morals could be controversial at times, but in his heart, Rick aims to be the hero in every situation. He willingly sacrificed his life in season 9 to save his community, but saving the day through a cure would be a much more fitting end for the sheriff than disappearing after an explosion. Though the idea of having one immune savior is a little cliche, if The Walking Dead were to have one, Rick is a likely candidate. Lincoln's ending also keeps Carl alive, as he rightfully should be going by the comics. The image of Carl and Rick fighting to restore society side-by-side is a truly beautiful one. It would also allow Rick to be present for the Commonwealth arc, and could neatly wrap up the series right after the final big bad was slain.
Between humorous bouts of "Carlarlarlarl"s, Lincoln paints a beautiful end for both Rick and the series. Most importantly, this finale would provide hope for a possible future for humanity; if Rick is a cure, there's a chance of beating the apocalypse that has wiped out almost every facet of society. However, it would also do Rick's character — and the comics — better justice than his current storyline has. Carl's dream, which Rick adopted after Carl's death, was a utopia filled with peace; a cure could get them much closer to their shared dream.
This ending could also set up another spin-off in the Walking Dead universe that explores the implications of a cure; would it be used to prevent humans from turning, or could it allow walkers to be human again? What would a walker-turned-human even look like? There are a million questions to answer surrounding a cure that could have easily sustained its own series. Instead, Walking Dead fans may never know if a walker cure exists.