A new teaser for The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live includes a similar speech to one from The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, making a future crossover even more likely for the zombie apocalypse franchise. Not many details have been released regarding Rick and Michonne’s upcoming spinoff, but the teasers and preview images suggest this particular The Walking Dead project revolves around what happened to Rick after he disappeared. Upon the shocking “death” of Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead season 9, it was revealed that the show’s protagonist actually survived, and became a victim of an evil organization known as the CRM.

Following the appearance of Carol in Daryl Dixon‘s season 1 finale, AMC’s various The Walking Dead spinoffs are beginning to coalesce. Crossover theories are becoming increasingly popular thanks to the burning desire to see these beloved characters reconnect, whether that be through an eventual movie or another TV show. Scott M. Gimple, chief content officer of the Walking Dead franchise, teased the idea of a crossover and how it makes sense for The Walking Dead’s future during an NYCC 2023 panel. A key similarity between Rick and Daryl’s spinoffs could further proves that a crossover is on the horizon.

Daryl And Rick Are Still “Trying” To Reach Their Loved Ones Again

In the pilot episode of Daryl Dixon, the titular character gave a motivational speech through a radio in hopes of getting a message back to his friends in the United States after waking up in France. Daryl mentioned that he went out looking for something before finding trouble, and that if he didn’t make it back, he wanted his group to know that he was still “trying.” This speech is very similar to Rick’s words in the teaser for The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, as he mentions “trying” to get away from the CRM.

Rick and Daryl sharing this speech about “trying” to reach home, and wanting the people they love to know that they are still fighting for survival, could hint toward the characters reuniting again and returning home together in an upcoming The Walking Dead crossover. Both spinoffs revolve around the themes of home and determination. This parallel makes the crossover theories more plausible, because these characters share the same motivation to eventually reunite. It makes sense that rather than seeing Rick return home in his spinoff and Daryl return home in Daryl Dixon season 2, both characters get home in a Walking Dead crossover – perhaps due to the threat posed by the CRM.

The Ones Who Live Hints At A Future Walking Dead Crossover For All Spinoffs

For the sake of evoking nostalgia for long-time fans, upcoming spinoffs like The Ones Who Live must at least hint toward a future Walking Dead crossover. Teasing potential reunions or surprise cameos could also, however, set up the franchise’s future, just as Daryl Dixon did. Carol featuring in Daryl’s show and asking him to “come back” through the radio contributes to this crossover theory, as does Michonne’s mission to reunite with her husband. With fan-favorite characters now coming together again, The Walking Dead might just be working toward one of the greatest crossovers in TV history.

There is little doubt that The Walking Dead is building toward a crossover, but audiences might have to wait a while for this anticipated event. Spinoffs like Daryl Dixon and Dead City have both been renewed for second seasons, meaning they’re more likely to focus on their own storylines until the time for a reunion is right. However, Morgan leaving Fear the Walking Dead to find Rick is one of the biggest crossover clues, and could happen sooner than expected. Vitally, Morgan also knows about the CRM. With The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live already connecting to other spinoffs, a long-awaited reunion could soon be on the cards for this beloved franchise.