The Walking Dead may not have the fanbase it once did, but there is no denying that the actors from the series are talented. In fact, over the eleven seasons that the show has been on the air, numerous stars have gone on to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Among those who have made the jump from AMC's small-screen zombie show to the massive multi-franchise juggernaut of the MCU are Michonne actress Danai Gurira as Okoye (Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, What If...?), Merle actor Michael Rooker as Yondu (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 & 2, What If...?), and Judith actress Cailey Fleming as Young Sylvie (Loki).
Less notable crossovers include Mercer actor Michael James Shaw as Corvus Glaive (Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, What If...?), Aaron actor Ross Marquand as Red Skull (Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, What If...?), Bob Lamson actor Maximiliano Hernandez as Agent Sitwell (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Endgame), and more.
We would be remiss not to mention Shane Walsh actor Jon Bernthal as the titular Punisher. Even though he may be MCU-adjacent, that doesn't seem to matter with Charlie Cox and Vincent D'onofrio rumored to return as Daredevil and Kingpin in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Hawkeye, respectively.
It's probably only a matter of time before Frank Castle makes the multiversal transition - even if it does happen to be as a variant. Plus, with Norman Reedus himself campaigning to play Jonny Blaze in a new Ghost Rider project, we may soon have the whole gang on board.
The latest star from The Walking Dead to make the jump to Marvel is Lauren Ridloff, who plays Connie in the zombie-centric show. In order for Ridloff to film Eternals, the crew behind The Walking Dead wrote in a sub-plot for Connie to disappear while the actress shot her scenes as Makkari for this November's MCU title.
Last night, that sub-plot was finally wrapped up as Ridloff returned to the series with an episode centered almost entirely on her character. After over a year of suspense for Connie fans, viewers were met with an intense and suspenseful haunted house story with the deaf character at the center, delivering intrigue that some of the other recent entries in The Walking Dead Season 11 have lacked.
Spoilers for those who have not yet watched The Walking Dead Season 11 Episode 5: Connie is not only reunited with her sister and the others, but she also meets Virgil, someone who knows that Rick is alive as well as Michonne's current whereabouts. This makes her return even more important, as she looks to be the connective tissue that brings Rick and Michonne back into the fold.
Are you guys excited to have Ridloff back on the small screen, or are you waiting to experience her big-screen debut as Makkari? We've included a sneak peek at the Connie-centric episode along with the final trailer for Marvel Studios' Eternals below, so check them out and share your take in the usual spot!
New episodes of The Walking Dead air every Sunday on AMC, while Eternals heads to theaters on November 5th.