SWAMP THING Live-Action Series Announced with James Wan for DC Digital Platform
DC Entertainment's forthcoming SVOD service
DC Universe is bringing one of the most beloved comic book characters to the small screen.
Following a months-long deal-making process, DC Universe has put DC Comics'
Swamp Thing in development. The drama, based on DC characters created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, has a script-to-series order. That means if the script comes in well, the drama would then be picked up straight to series.
Mark Verheiden (
Battlestar Galactica, Netflix's
Daredevil) and Gary Dauberman (
It and its forthcoming sequel) are attached to co-write the script and serve as showrunners on the live-action drama. James Wan (
Aquaman) will exec produce alongside his Atomic Monster banner topper Michael Clear, with the company's Rob Hackett set as a co-exec producer. Verheiden and Dauberman will also exec produce the live-action drama.
The drama follows what happens when CDC researcher Abby Arcane returns to her childhood home of Houma, Louisiana, in order to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus. There, she develops a surprising bond with scientist Alec Holland — only to have him tragically taken from her. But as powerful forces descend on Houma, intent on exploiting the swamp’s mysterious properties for their own purposes, Abby will discover that the swamp holds mystical secrets, both horrifying and wondrous — and the potential love of her life may not be dead after all.
Swamp Thing first appeared in the 1970s and '80s under Moore, Steve Bissette and John Totleben. Over the years, several writers have taken on the character including Alan Moore, Brian K. Vaughan (
Y: The Last Man) and, most recently, co-creator Wein for a six-issue miniseries in 2016. Wrightson announced his
retirement in January 2017 and
passed away in March. Wein
died last September.
The property has been adapted multiple times over the years, including a 1982 feature written and directed by Wes Craven and based on the character created by Wein and Bernie Wrightson starring Ray Wise. (Jim Wynorski directed the 1989 sequel.) In 1990, USA Network aired a live-action TV series from Joseph Stefano that ran for three seasons, with Fox producing a short-lived animated series in the early 1990s that aired in Canada after it was pulled from the schedule. (Syfy later aired it in syndication.)
'Swamp Thing' TV Series in the Works for DC Digital Platform With James Wan Attached to Produce