As the premiere of "The Walking Dead" season 7 slowly approaches, various TWD trailers and promo posters are being released, with the latest footage introducing the infamous King Ezekiel (played by Khary Payton) and his pet tiger to the hit AMC series.
Earlier news and scoops are hinting at a battle of will between Negan and Rick, but a bigger surprise is yet to come as Ezekiel will finally be introduced. His appearance is revealed in the latest teaser trailer for the forthcoming season 7 of today's most popular zombie apocalypse show. The character was revealed in AMC's "The Walking Dead" season 7 trailer shown during the recent San Diego Comic-Con. Khary Payton was the chosen actor to give life to the character as he can give justice to the role, reports say.
In the comic book of "The Walking Dead," Ezekiel is a self-proclaimed leader of a community called "The Kingdom," which is originally a college campus that was later transformed into a sustainable community after the zombie virus outbreak.
As described in the "TWD" comics, the eccentric, affable, and somewhat flamboyant King Ezekiel used to be a zookeeper. This is the reason why he owns a pet tiger, Shiva, which he uses as a protection from walkers and other threats.
Furthermore, Ezekiel is a friend of the Hilltop Colony and a friend to Paul Monroe. He's also known in the comics as one who has a strong hatred for Negan and the group, Saviors, leading to the Ezekiel-Rick collaboration to defeat them.
Meanwhile, in the recently released trailer, fans witnessed how the powerful and self-styled monarch showed his sense of grandeur when his men captured Morgan for a mailbox robbery yet welcomed him to "The Kingdom."
"I am King Ezekiel. Welcome to The Kingdom," the character said
From the past season, Morgan was separated from Rick Grimes' group of survivors as he rushed to the aid of Carol to save her from a Savior. He seemed torn about the idea of not trying to find his friends, as he said, "I can't let you die out there."
"The Walking Dead" season 6 ended with the gang trying to fight off the ruthless Saviors and Negan who served as the leader of the group. Fan theories say that if Ezekiel's antics in the comic book are any guide, the character could be the difference between death and survival for the former Sheriff's deputy and his group in the much-awaited season 7 of "The Walking Dead."
