Why was Frank Darabont REALLY fired from the "Walking Dead?"

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Why was former Walking Dead showrunner Frank Darabont (pictured) really let go by AMC? This is a question that has been on the lips of many fans ever since it was announced that he would be replaced by executive producer Glen Mazzara a mere 3 days after the "Walking Dead" season 2 panel at Comic Con last month (which I attended).

Some answers are now beginning to show up. According to the Hollywood Reporter, a lot of it had to do with AMC's extention of the season to 13 episodes (up from 6 last season), which resulted in major budget cuts (from $3.4 million an episode last year to $2.75 million this season). These cuts affected the show in Darabont's eyes, as, for example, network executives would ask for more zombies to be heard and not seen. Therefore, saving the money it would take to make up another actor to look like a zombie.

Another reason could be that Darabont never quite adapted to the quick, lean style of filming TV as opposed to feature movies. He was in a constant struggle with AMC to keep the show big on scope and style, despite the budgets he was given. According to the Hollywood Reporter, this could have been a huge bearing on the major reason given in for his firing, as footage that he edited from an episode he turned in came back "unusable."

So, what do you guys think? Will this have no bearing on the quality of "Walking Dead?" Or, will this firing come back to bite AMC in the ass? We'll find out when the new season of the show starts October 16th.

Note: Darabont bought the rights to the story "Shawshank Redemption" from Stephen King for a dollar.