Ryan Phillippe to star in pilot for drama series 'Shooter'

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Damages and Secrets and Lies alum Ryan Phillippe is to star in the USA Network pilot Shooter, which is based on Point of Impact, the best-selling novel by Stephen Hunter.

The book was previously adapted as a 2007 Paramount film headlined by Mark Wahlberg.

The small-screen version is a co-production with Paramount Television and Universal Cable Productions. It 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 for the potential action series and will also executive produce it. 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," a synopsis said.

Phillippe's film credits include Cruel Intentions, Crash and Gosford Park.