Michael Rooker and Kevin Costner have something in common beyond appearing together in the new movie Horizon: An American Saga - Part 1. Both have also been written out of popular television shows, but as far as Rooker sees it, there's nothing wrong with moving on.
Rooker is partly known for his role as Merle Dixon, the older brother of Norman Reedus' Daryl Dixon, in the hit zombie drama The Walking Dead. More recently, Costner was starring in the acclaimed series Yellowstone before dropping out of the final season, a move he attributes to scheduling issues with his new film. In a recent conversation with TMZ, Rooker was asked about Costner's Yellowstone departure, going on to compare it to how he'd personally left The Walking Dead.
"But we all [move on]," Rooker said. "That's what we do. We're actors. We move on. We do The Walking Dead, I get killed off. I don't know why. They don't know how to write for the character! So, I move on."
"We do The Walking Dead , I get killed off. I don't know why. They don't know how to write for the character!"
Rooker was a big part of The Walking Dead in its early years, particularly in its first and third seasons. Merle didn't make it very far into the 11-season series, as he sacrificed himself in an attempt to take out The Governor (David Morrissey) in Season 3. Even so, he's still remembered well by fans of the show. Rooker noted how he still has Walking Dead fans letting him know how much they loved him as Merle, and he suggested that Yellowstone fans will also continue to stand by Costner.
Rooker explained, "They're still there. My fans from The Walking Dead, the Merle Dixon fans, they're still there. And nothing wrong with that. Yes [Yellowstone fans will still love Costner]. It'll be okay."
Michael Rooker Says Horizon: An American Saga Is Real Cinema
Directed by Costner, Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 is the first part of a series of Western films. It's a lengthy movie, running at over three hours long, and Rooker suggested that filmgoers go to the bathroom before they go in. With that said, he also called the film "real cinema," believing people will enjoy the movie if they give it a fair chance.
"He's brilliant in this," Rooker said of Costner. "He's a brilliant director, and he has the ability to pick absolutely the crew of the crop. Stop hanging. Go see the movie. You'll enjoy it."
