Bad news for fans ofSwamp Thing, as the show has been canceled on DC Universe after only one season. The news comes after just the first episode of the series has been aired, which showed great promise for the new comic book adaptation. Details on why exactly the show is being ended weren’t made clear, but previous reports suggest executives had all but given up on the project before it had even completed filming. In April, it was reported that creative differences arose between the network and parent company WarnerMedia, which resulted in shortening the season from 13 episodes to 10. Even after the first episode brought in some high critical praise, it appears this behind-the-scenes drama may have killed the show before it started.
Based on the original DC Comics series,Swamp Thingwas executive produced by James Wan and Michael Clear under Wan’s Atomic Monster banner. Gary Dauberman and Mark Verheiden also executive produced in addition to writing the series. It followed CDC researcher Abby Arcane returning to her Louisiana hometown to investigate a swamp-borne virus, meeting scientist Alec Holland who soontransforms into the creatureknown as the “Swamp Thing.” Crystal Reed stars as Abby, with Andy Bean (IT: Chapter Two) and Derek Mears (Friday the 13th) playing Alec and Swamp Thing. Virginia Madsen, Maria Sten, Jeryl Prescott, and Will Patton also star.
Swamp Thinghas had both big and small screen adaptations in the past, though it’s been many years since we’ve last seen it happen.A Nightmare on Elm Streethelmer Wes Craven first brought the character to life by directing the 1982 movieSwamp Thing, starring Ray Wise as Alec Holland,Adrienne Barbeauas Alice Cable, and Dick Durock as the titular swamp-monster. The movie became a cult classic and later brought about a sequel in 1989 in the form of director Jim Wynorski’s The Return of Swamp Thing, with Durock reprising the lead role. Like the original, it developed a cult following of its own, even though it’s tonally different than its predecessor.
The franchise made its debut on television in 1990 with an officialSwamp ThingTV series, with Durock once again playing the creature. It first premiered on the USA Network before having another run in syndication on the Sci-Fi Channel. It continues where The Return of Swamp Thing left off, though it brought the series back to its more serious roots. It had a bit of a successful run of its own, ultimately airing for three seasons with 72 total episodes.
