Shooter Picked Up to Series at USA Network

UNIVERSAL CITY: USA Network has given a series pickup to 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 (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 who is now a Secret Service Agent.

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.

“Shooter is an uncompromising exploration of the definition and evolution of a hero,” said Jackie de Crinis, the executive VP of original programming at 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, the president of 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.”