USA Orders Series Based on 2007 Film SHOOTER; Ryan Phillippe to Star

usa network announced a series pick-up for SHOOTER, a drama based on the best-selling Bob Lee Swagger novel by Stephen Hunter, Point of Impact, and the 2007 Paramount film starring Mark Wahlberg. The co-production with Paramount Television and Universal Cable Productions comes from executive producers Wahlberg ("Ballers," "Boardwalk Empire") of Closest to the Hole Productions; Stephen Levinson ("Ballers," "Boardwalk Empire") of LEVERAGE Entertainment; and Lorenzo di Bonaventura ("Transformers," "The Real O'Neals"). John Hlavin ("The Shield") wrote the pilot and will also executive produce. Simon Cellan Jones ("Bloodline") directed the pilot.

Ryan Phillippe ("Secrets and Lies") is a producer on the project and will star as Bob Lee Swagger, an expert marksman living in exile who is coaxed back into action after learning of a plot to kill the president. Omar Epps ("House") plays Isaac Johnson, an ex-Marine and former commanding officer of Swagger. Now a Secret Service Agent, he solicits Swagger's expertise for a clandestine operation that has disastrous results.

"SHOOTER is an UNCOMPROMISING exploration of the definition and evolution of a hero," said Jackie de Crinis, Executive Vice President, Original Programming, USA Network. "The conspiracy and drama that unfolded throughout the first hour had us completely immersed, and we look forward to more."

"USA is the perfect home for SHOOTER," said Amy Powell, President, Paramount Television. "Stephen Hunter's Bob Lee Swagger is a heroic, iconic character and there is so much more of his story to explore in series. This incredible group of producers and actors bring our vision to the next level; we couldn't be more thrilled to work with Mark, Ryan, Stephen, John, and Universal Cable Productions to take audiences on an exciting journey."

On the heels of a series pick-up for the Gale Anne Hurd ("The Walking Dead"), Blake Masters ("Brotherhood") and the late Emmy Award-winner Henry Bromell ("Homeland") drama, FALLING WATER, SHOOTER is the second project to be greenlit off of USA Network's 2015/2016 pilot slate. Still in contention are BROOKLYN ANIMAL CONTROL, a co-production between Universal Cable Productions and IDW Entertainment, the pilot is written and executive produced by JT Petty ("Splinter Cell"), David S. Goyer ("Batman v Superman") also executive produced; and POOR RICHARD'S ALMANACK, a co-production between Legendary Television and Universal Cable Productions, the project is from executive producer Jim Danger Gray ("Orange is the New Black") and consulting producer Miguel Sapochnik ("Game of Thrones").

Photo Courtesy Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.