EXCLUSIVE: Graphic novel Swat Man, about a crooked cop turned reluctant superhero, is being adapted to the big screen as an action-comedy.
Gary Michael Walters (Drive, Nightcrawler) at Walters Media Group banner is producing the adaptation alongside the comic book’s creator Jack Roberts, under his Lesnik Entertainment banner. Kristen and Drake Dowd of Dowd Films have come on board to finance.
The screenplay was written by Roberts and Michael Ferris (The Game, Terminator: Salvation), with action design by second-unit director Chris Brewster (Daredevil, Black Adam).
Robert describes Swat Man as ” a low level crime fighter the “dirty cop” of the superhero world” and an anti-hero
The story takes up with the low-level corrupt crime fighter as he is about to make the biggest bust of his life – a Russian mob crypto hard drive handoff. Little does he know, another superhero and the police are on the same trail, and he accidentally ends up looking like a hero in the eyes of the public. He blows up in the press and online – perfect timing for the city administrator Pen who is seeking an interim replacement for the city’s main hero, Epic, who was recently “injured.”
Swat is coerced into taking on the role or finally getting legal comeuppances for all of his misdeeds and ends up taking on solving the mystery of a series of disappearances plaguing Echo city. Little does he know that the city is about to deal with its most dangerous supervillain in decades.
Roberts is set to star as Swat Man, with further casting underway ahead of a planned shoot next year.
The Swat Man comic was recently launched on Amazon, with volumes 2 and 3 set to release in summer 2025. DKatoic is responsible for original illustrations alongside creator Roberts.
Roberts is an actor, producer and author who will next be seen in the upcoming thriller and Bleecker Street release The Third Parent by David Michaels. Roberts executive produced and stars opposite Rob Lowe and Crispin Glover.
Swat Man marks Robert’s second production as a writer/actor after writing, starring in and directing Remnants (2023).
