We held back on posting this last night in case of any further developments. But we are very sad to report that Swamp Thing appears to have been cancelled by DC Universe.
The news was first reported by Geek Vibes Nation yesterday, citing creative differences in the behind-the-scenes team. Their report claimed that part of the team wished to keep the horror vibe of the show whilst the rest were pushing for a more procedural type approach.
However with no sources to back up their claims we felt this wasn’t worth posting. Later in the day, as we shared on Twitter, cartoonist, writer, and actor John Gholson shared some much more insightful news in to the cancellation.
When Warner Bros. negotiated to film the series in North Carolina they were offered a $40m tax break. Due to an error in accounting that figure was reduced to $14m part way through filming of the first season.
Given the series reported $80m budget, to lose $26m was a hefty loss. This is what caused the immediate shutdown of production and the reduction in episodes from 13 to 10.
With Warner unable to renegotiate the larger tax break this is what has ultimately caused the studio to pull the plug on the well received and well reviewed series.
No official word from Warner Bros. on this yet.
When CDC researcher Abby Arcane returns to her childhood home of Marais, Louisiana, in order to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus, she develops a surprising bond with scientist Alec Holland — only to have him tragically taken from her. But as powerful forces descend on Houma, intent on exploiting the swamp’s mysterious properties for their own purposes, Abby will discover that the swamp holds mystical secrets, both horrifying and wondrous — and the potential love of her life may not be dead after all.
Swamp Thing stars Crystal Reed, Andy Bean, Derek Mears, Jennifer Beals, Henderson Wade, Will Patton, Virginia Madsen, Jeryl Prescott, Henderson Wade and Kevin Durand.
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