AMC has confirmed reports that Frank Darabont has stepped down as showrunner for The Walking Dead, in this statement released by the network's senior vice president Joel Stillerman.

The Walking Dead's Glen Mazzara, writer and executive producer, is expanding his responsibilities to assume the role of showrunner. AMC is grateful to executive producer, writer and pilot director Frank Darabont whose contributions to the success of The Walking Dead are innumerable. We continue to discuss his ongoing role with the series.

Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead graphic novels, executive producer and writer on the series, will remain in this role and will continue to steward the brand. Gale Anne Hurd will remain in her role as Executive Producer. The production continues on schedule for an October 16th premiere.

Seems like just yesterday Frank Darabont was up on stage at Comic-Con talking about the upcoming second season of The Walking Dead. Actually, it was less then a week ago, so why has he just quit as showrunner from the hit AMC series?

Budget cuts hit the series in May, as did a firing of the entire writing staff from the show's first season. All strange, considering the incredible critical and commercial success the Robert Kirkman-created comic adaptation brought the network. Darabont basically kept quiet on the cuts and the decision, though he hinted at some dissatisfaction in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter:

"I believe if they do move ahead with what they’re talking about [with budget cuts], it will affect the show creatively ... in a negative way. Which just strikes me as odd. If you have an asset, why would you punish it?”

Why indeed? And what's changed between then and now?

As of this writing, its not known why Darabont has left the series, which is still scheduled to premiere October 16 at 9:00 p.m. on AMC.