Ryan Phillippe's 'Shooter' Receives Series Pickup from USA Network

Ryan Phillippe

USA Network has 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 of Closest to the Hole Productions; Stephen Levinson of Leverage Entertainment; and Lorenzo di Bonaventura. John Hlavin wrote the pilot and will also executive produce. Simon Cellan Jones directed the pilot.

Ryan Phillippe (One Life to Live, 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."

USA Picks up Drama Pilot 'Shooter' Starring Ryan Phillippe

Ryan Phillippe

USA Network has announced a pilot pick-up for the hour-long scripted drama Shooter and has locked in Ryan Phillippe (Secrets and Lies, One Life to Live) to star.

Shooter is 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 of Closest to the Hole Productions; Stephen Levinson of Leverage Entertainment; and Lorenzo di Bonaventura. John Hlavin (The Shield) wrote the pilot and will also executive produce. Simon Cellan Jones is set to direct the pilot.

Phillippe is a producer on the project and will star as Bob Lee Swagger, an off-the-grid former Marine sniper who is coaxed into action to thwart the killing of the President. Ultimately double-crossed and framed for the attempt, he must call upon all the skills he acquired as a decorated Marine sharpshooter to avoid capture while hunting down and exposing the traitors who set him up.