The swamp just added some elite company. According to their official Twitter account (see below), the DC Universe has announced that genre veterans Derek Mears and Andy Bean have joined the cast of the upcoming series adaptation of Swamp Thing. DC is continuing to add to its stable of content for their new streaming service, with the exclusive series Titans already four episodes in to its initial run on the network.
For Swamp Thing, based on the comic book which debuted in 1971 but rose to prominence in the mid-80’s after legendary writer Alan Moore took the reins, this will be the second attempt at a television series. In the early 1990’s, the USA network hosted a live action adaptation starring Dick Durock and Mark Lindsay Chapman which ran for three seasons. The current Swamp Thing project boasts a robust and impressive cast already for DC. Mears and Bean will be joining the already-announced roster of Jennifer Beals (The Grudge 2), Virginia Madsen (Candyman), Will Patton (2018’s Halloween) and Crystal Reed (MTV’s Teen Wolf.)
The two newest additions will be portraying the same character, though in completely different capacities. Bean (the upcoming IT: Chapter Two) will play biologist Alec Holland, who bonds with CDC researcher Abby Arcane (Reed) as she investigates a malicious virus appearing to originate in the swamps of Louisiana. Holland’s exposure to this virus transforms him into the titular character, Swamp Thing.
The grotesque alter ego of Holland will be portrayed by horror genre favorite Mears, who is known for taking on several iconic roles in the horror realm within the past two decades. He was Jason Voorhees in the 2009 remake of Friday the 13th as well as the Predator in 2010’s Predators. Mears, a regular on the horror convention circuit, has also appeared in various popular shows such as True Blood, Teen Wolf and Sleepy Hollow. His menacing presence in the monstrous role will be a welcome sight to see, just as DC is hoping.
Swamp Thing will also have red-hot horror royalty in its ranks, as Hollywood heavyweight director James Wan (Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring) will assume the role of executive producer. As of now, Len Wiseman (Underworld) is the attached director though it’s unclear if he will oversee each episode. DC Universe has yet to announce any further production details for the show.
Stay tuned to HNN for more news on Swamp Thing as it breaks!
