DC Universe, the online, subscription service that spawned "Titans" and "Doom Patrol", now gives us "Swamp Thing": a James "Aquaman" Wan-produced, revamped genesis for the popular, monster-superhero, set for May 31.
I've always liked Len Wein/Bernie Wrightson's morphed rendering of the honorable Dr. Alec Holland; I hold Wes Craven's movie version in high regard, though not so much Jim Wynorski's sequel, though I was compelled to own it on disc, so take that for what you will.
The USA, Joseph Stefano-developed series happens to be one of my all-time favorites of any genre, and the short-lived "Swamp Thing" cartoon show was nifty in its own well-intended right, producing some real swell action figures.
The DC Universe remake sure has some big shoes to fill, and yet the subscription source seems intent on delivering superior storytelling with impressive casts. ("Doom Patrol", in particular, has exceeded expectations.)
For "Swamp Thing '19", we get Andy "Power" Bean as Holland and Derek "Jason vs Freddy" Mears as the doc's vegetated alter ego. There's also super-hot Crystal "Gotham" Reed as Dr. Abby Arcane and legendary Virginia "Highlander II" Madsen as anguished Maria Sunderland. Will "The Postman" Patton plays her spouse, Avery, a businessman who appears more the antagonist than the alluring Arcane could ever be. (Hey, what's in a villainous surname, anyway?) To cap things off, Leonardo "Westworld" Nam stars as Harlan Edwards (Arcane's right-hand man), Ian "Sharknado" Ziering as the blazing Blue Devil (aka Dan Cassidy), Kevin "Wolverine" Durand as the quirky Jason Woodrue; and Jennifer "The Bride" Beals as the lovely Lucilia Cable.
The series' trailers don't reveal much, yet manage to establish that this "Swamp Thing" will be darker than previous adaptations. Wan has also stated that his Swampy will contain Gothic horror. Neato...
On the unpropitious side, word has it that the production ended earlier than expected, due to creative differences (whatever that means): The series was planned for thirteen episodes, though ten will stream.
I do hope the new "Swamp Thing" doesn't turn out to be a big, loose-end tease. It's maddening as hell when cool-concept shows like this get severed before they start. "Swamp Thing" has good cause to carry on for several seasons, but if inflated egos are involved, the fans will have little say in whether this reincarnation triumphs or tanks.
(And while we're at it, why doesn't the DC Universe queue up the prior adaptations of "Swamp Thing"? If one is going to commemorate the character in live-action form, be thorough...do it right.)
