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.
Ryan Phillippe 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 co-stars alongside Phillippe, playing Isaac Johnson, an ex-Marine and former commanding officer of Swagger who is now a Secret Service Agent in need of Swagger’s expertise for a clandestine operation that has disastrous results.
The co-production with Paramount Television and Universal Cable Productions comes from executive producers Wahlberg 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.
"’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."
"Shooter" is the second project to be greenlit off of USA Network’s 2015/2016 pilot slate.