‘Swan Song’ Based On Robert McCammon Novel In Works For Television; Greg Nicotero To EP & Direct Pilot

EXCLUSIVE: Swan Song, Robert McCammon‘s bestselling post-apocalyptic novel, is getting the small-screen treatment. Monarch Media and Greg Nicotero and Brian Witten’s Monster Agency Productions are teaming on the action/genre series based on the horror novel.

In Swan Song, following the U.S. government’s nuclear showdown with an unprecedented malevolent enemy, America as it was, is gone forever, and now the remaining citizens must fight to stay alive in a wasteland born of rage and fear, populated by monstrous creatures and marauding armies.

Longtime The Walking Dead executive producer/director Nicotero and Witten will executive produce through Monster Agency, and Steve Barnett, Alan Powell and Vicky Patel will executive produce through Monarch Media, along with McCammon. Brandi Hagedorn will co-produce. Nicotero will also direct the pilot. A search is currently underway for a writer.

“Being a longtime fan of Robert’s novels, his story of survival in a world forever changed by political mistrust and international intrigue intertwined with a supernatural force has always been one of my favorites,” Nicotero said. “The time is perfect to delve into this world.”

Swan Song won the 1987 Bram Stoker award, tying with Stephen King’s Misery.

“The post-apocalyptic world of McCammon’s novel is incredibly compelling, and unlike anything we have seen before in film or television,” said Barnett, Powell and Patel in a joint statement. “We’re very excited to bring this world to life and can’t imagine any better partners for the series than Greg and Brian, particularly with Greg’s years of experience in expanding the world of walkers in The Walking Dead.“

Nicotero has directed over 40 episodes of TWD during its 12-year run. He’s currently EP on the Norman Reedus spinoff The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, and directed the season 2 premiere episode set to air later this year.

Monster Agency is currently developing Bannerman at AMC, an adaptation of the John Maxim novel with Shane Black attached as executive producer and Craig Silverstein adapting. Nicotero and Witten continue to produce Creepshow for Shudder. The company has expanded into the non-scripted space at AMC/Shudder as well. Nicotero also owns and operates the Oscar- and Emmy Award-winning make-up effects company KNB EFX Group.

Monarch Media produced Richard Linklater’s thriller Hit Man, which Netflix picked up in a $20 million deal at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival. They also are in post on Chase Stokes/Lana Condor-starrer Valiant One. Upcoming film projects include Big Pink, written and directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, and in television, Kenny Ortega and Kristin Chenoweth’s 1300 Miles to Broadway.

Nicotero is repped by UTA, Mosaic, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett and Kole. McCammon is with Angela Cheng Caplan at Cheng Caplan Company, Allison Binder at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson and Christopher, on behalf of Cameron McClure at Donald Maass Literary Agency.