Is the only reason AAA/Mr Eko's not returning due to SPITE?

[rayhova]

Almost EVERYONE is coming back, even Walt now, who's like 6 ft tall and can drink and vote. Except for AAA (and Christian). Now Christian's lack of appearance can be explained I suppose. He IS dead, so no use for him in the ALT, and MiB can't change forms, so there is no guarantee that we'd see him on Island (if you believe that MiB was always him).

But Eko can't be shown in the Flash Sideways? Now we know that he ASKED off of the show, I'm guessing amidst the dui etc. We were also told that he was supposed to be very integral to the story. SO logically they had to do a bit of rewriting after he left.
Now AAA has voiced his desire to reappear in the final season, so WHY does Damon speak about it as if there is no way it can be done?

If anyone has a better explanation or reason please share here.

[NaptownMenace]

I thought I read somewhere that AAA asked to written from the show. That he didn't like the direction the show was heading and he wanted out. I think he said that he would never return as well. I'll see if I can find that article.


Edit: I found an article in USA today and acutally it said he asked to be written off the show after his parents died in 2005. He wanted to return to London to direct a film about his life.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/televis...eko-lost_x.htm

[magicofjuju]

I must be the only person that doesn't care either way if Eko/AAA returns or not.

[NaptownMenace]

Here's another article, an interview actually with AAA about his departure from LOST:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1553848_2,00.html

From that interview article:

Akinnuoye-Agbaje's active involvement in his character's development became both a blessing and a curse over the course of his first season. ''Adewale's process is complicated,'' says Cuse. ''He needs to discuss it, process it, and make it his own. That's harder to do on a television schedule, but it ultimately leads to great work.'' His time in Hawaii — which can (for better or worse) leave a person feeling distanced from the rest of the world — proved difficult for him. He had to move to Oahu, a place he'd never been, in about two weeks. He was afforded little of the prep time he relishes. And he struggled with his newfound visibility. ''I felt like I'd landed on the moon,'' he says. ''I'm very private, and I don't like public influence on what I'm doing.'' Mostly, though, he struggled with playing the same person every week. ''I'm primarily a movie actor because there's a lot more flexibility,'' he notes. ''I never like to get lazy, sitting in a character two or three years, him getting fat and having grandchildren. I like to hit and run.'' Toward the end of last season, he met with Cuse and Lindelof to discuss his future, and agreed to stick around for a few season 3 episodes. ''There was an ongoing dialogue [when he signed on] about what the longevity of the character would be,'' Lindelof explains. ''And we all decided the shocking and emotional death would be the best way to go.''

[rayhova]

I thought I read somewhere that AAA asked to written from the show. That he didn't like the direction the show was heading and he wanted out. I think he said that he would never return as well. I'll see if I can find that article.


Edit: I found an article in USA today and acutally it said he asked to be written off the show after his parents died in 2005. He wanted to return to London to direct a film about his life.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/televis...eko-lost_x.htm

Thanks That gives a bit more insight, especially sicne I thought he wanted off due to alcohol related reasons.

But, even after that, he has openly stated that he would LOVE to return for the final season. And damn near everyone has come back, except for him. So if he says he wouldn't mind, and he was so important initially, what's the hold up?

[Mighty Rearranger]

^Yeah, he stated not that long ago that he'd love to come back if invited by Darlton, but I guess he hasn't heard anything from them, which kinda blows...

[magicofjuju]

I think it is because Darlton had a MAJOR plot arc planned for his character, and when he wanted out, it shot their plans to hell. The writers had to create a MASSIVE PLAN B, which is what we are watching now. So to fit Eko BACK into a complex story that they crafted (based on his departure) would be frustrating, difficult, and a bit pointless.

[New Otherton]

Perhaps the story doesn't allow for a return of Eko?

So far, the returns have all been related to an older story from seasons past, exploring how two characters were tied together Eko's arc was tied so completely to Lockes, making his AR story the only real fit for Eko. We don't even know yet what's really going on with AR Locke. Is it Locke? Is it MIB?

For this reason, there probably isn't really a good place to fit Eko in.

[Zelix]

I must be the only person that doesn't care either way if Eko/AAA returns or not.

Nope you are not alone. I could care less as well.

I think it is because Darlton had a MAJOR plot arc planned for his character, and when he wanted out, it shot their plans to hell. The writers had to create a MASSIVE PLAN B, which is what we are watching now. So to fit Eko BACK into a complex story that they crafted (based on his departure) would be frustrating, difficult, and a bit pointless.

^^^this +1

[New2Lost]

Where is the "He is a dirtbag who treated fellow cast members and crew like $#!t and gets what he deserves. F-him" option?