‘Swamp Thing’ TV Series Cast Adds Andy Bean As Swamp Thing’s Alter Ego, Derek Mears As Swamp Thing
Andy Bean, who plays the adult Stan in the upcomingIt Chapter Two, has joined theSwamp ThingTV series cast. Bean will play Alec Holland, the man destined to become Swamp Thing.Derek Mearswill take over for Bean after the character transforms into Swamp Thing. Mears had beenrumoredfor the part before, but now it’s official. TheSwamp ThingTV series is headed to the DC streaming service DC Universe, where it joinsTitans, the animatedHarley Quinn, and more.Swamp Thinghas found its leads in Andy Bean and Derek Mears. Bean is set to play “Passionate biologist Alec Holland”, who is “caught in the crosshairs of a small town nightmare when he discovers a bizarre local illness may be connected to his work in the swamp. Holland’s discovery leads him into conflict with dark forces, from which he emerges as the elemental hero known as Swamp Thing.”
Rather than dress the normal-sized Bean up in a big old monster suit,Swamp Thinghired 6' 5" actor Derek Mears to play Swamp Thing in all his swampy glory. Here’s how the character is being described for the series:
Emerging from the swamp with a monstrous physique and strange new powers over plant life, the man who was once Alec Holland struggles to hold onto his humanity. When dark forces converge on the town of Marais, Swamp Thing must embrace what he has become in order to defend the town as well as the natural world at large.
I’m not overly familiar with Bean’s work, so I can’t comment much on his acting. He’s appeared on the showPower(never heard of it!), and will be seen next year inIt Chapter Two(can’t wait to see it!). Mears, meanwhile, has a background playing hulking monster-men. He’s played a Predator inPredators, the new Jason Voorhees in theFriday the 13thremake, and one of the mutants inThe Hills Have Eyesremake. He’s also had roles on ABC’sAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.and The CW’sThe Flash.
Bean and Mears join a cast that includesCrystal Reedas Abby Arcane,Jeryl Prescottas Madame Xanadu,Virginia Madsenas Maria Sunderland andWill Pattonas Avery Sunderland. The series is based on the comic book character created by by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson. There were two previous live-actionSwamp Thingadaptations – a 1982 film directed by Wes Craven, and a 1989 sequel,The Return of Swamp Thing. Neither was very good. Hopefully this series, which is being produced by horror master andAquamandirectorJames Wan, will fare better.
