DC has found itsSwamp Thing. Or rather, the two different actors who are going to bring the two very different sides of the character to life. Andy Bean and Derek Mears have both been cast to lead the upcoming live-action series based on thepopular DC character. Bean will play the human, Alec Holland, who becomes the creature known asSwamp Thing, to be played by Mears. The two are going to work together in order to bring the beast to life.
The casting announcement was recently made by Warner Bros., who are working on theSwamp Thinglive-action series as part of their programming for the recently launched DC Universe streaming service.Andy Beanand Derek Mears join a cast that already includes Crystal Reed as Abby Arcane, Maria Sten as Liz Tremayne and Jeryl Prescott as Madame Xanadu. There will be a strong duality at play, as Mears will emerge from a swamp, much larger than before and with mysterious new powers over plants. While, on the other side, Bean will struggle to hold onto the humanity of the character.
Both actors come from very different backgrounds. Andy Bean has been working steadily for a few years, with roles on shows likePowerandHere and Now. But it’s his role as an adult version of Stanley in next year’sIT: Chapter 2that helped put him on the studio’s radar, ultimately landing him this new high-profile gig. Meanwhile, Derek Mears has made a career out of playing creatures of many forms. He played Jason in the 2009Friday the 13threboot, a Predator inPredators, a Kree inAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.and a mutant inThe Hills Have Eyes 2, in addition to roles inSleepy HollowandGrimm. This seems to be right in line with what Mears has proved to be good at.
James Wan(The Conjuring) is set to produce the series through his Atomic Monster production banner, with screenwriter Gary Dauberman (The Nun) on board to help pen the small screen adaptation. Dauberman revealed in a previous interview that the series will aim for an R-rated tone and thatSwamp Thingwill be brought to life via practical effects, as opposed to going the CGI route. They will probably augment the character’s look with CGI, but it’s going to be a man in a suit doing the lion’s share of the work.
DC Universe is also host to theTitanslive-actionstreaming series, withStargirlandDoom Patrollive-action shows also on the way. AHarley Quinnanimated series andYoung Justice: Outsiders, the long-awaited third season of the popular animated show, are also set to debut on the streaming service. Currently, there is no premiere date set forSwamp Thing, but the series is in production now and the first season will consist of 13 episodes.Warner Bros.will likely look to launch the show sometime in 2019.
