FX has released a transcript of an interview with The Strain star Kevin Durand, who allegedly was approached to play Abraham in AMC’s The Walking Dead.

When asked for confirmation of the rumor, Durand knocked it down immediately.

“You know what, I wasn’t. I wasn’t, but I heard that from people. Ultimately for me it’s just really nice; it’s such an incredible compliment that you think of me for these characters. I’m so grateful for that,” explains Durand. “But no, nobody ever talked to me about that.”

But he does reveal that he was approached for an unknown role of a character named “Negan.”

“I’ve had a lot of people with ‘The Walking Dead’ talk to me, mentioned that they see me for a character named “Negan,” but I haven’t read the comic,” he adds. “But my ears are always open to what’s being said out on, and, like I said, I’m always honored to hear any of your thoughts.

“Bring it on.“

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the character, The Walking Dead Wiki has his bio:

“Negan is a character first introduced in Issue 100 of Image Comics’ The Walking Dead. [He] was the leader of the Saviors and is a primary antagonist in the Comic Series. He uses his authority and resources to subjugate other communities, such as the Hilltop Colony, The Kingdom, and later the Alexandria Safe-Zone, into paying tribute to The Saviors, in exchange for protection against zombies. The communities join together and start a conflict against The Saviors, which ends up with Dwight, former lieutenant and defector, taking charge of The Saviors, now willing to cooperate with all survivors. Negan is then incarcerated, receiving a life sentence.”