John Hawkes, one of the most brilliant actors alive, IMO, was originally rumored to done the eyepatch for the role of “The Governor” in the forthcoming third season of AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” It eventually went to British star David Morrissey. But that doesn’t mean the show’s producers didn’t want Hawes for the role.

Hawkes, who is coming off a great few years having starred in Winter’s Bone, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Contagion and even “Eastbound & Down,” opened up to Movieweb as to why he passed on the role that was extended to him.

“They offered me the role, and I just felt there would be someone else who could do it better,” he tells the site. “I was flattered, and I took a look at the series. It held interest for me, but I just didn’t feel like I was the guy for it. I have to be careful of what TV shows I choose, particularly ones that have commercials in them, because it’s going to be a different kind of television show. There are going to be sponsors. No matter how good the show is, if there are commercials, it’s going to be a different show, to me. That’s just my personal feeling. Yeah, it was nice of them to ask, and it’s a good show, but, again, I just didn’t feel I was the guy. They came to me and sent me the graphic novel and the first two seasons. I took a look at them, and just didn’t feel like it was for me.”

He watched the first two seasons, no wonder he passed. Still, I have high hopes for this year’s third season as we’ll see The Governor kicking ass opposite heroine Michonne (Danai Gurira). These arcs in the Robert Kirkman comic are simply awesome.