Carter Swan Adapts Keenspot Comic The Crying Boy
Producer Carter Swan is developing a film adaptation of the Keenspot comic 'The Crying Boy', with Rona Mark set to write the screenplay.
Carter Swan, producer of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil, is developing a film adaptation of the Keenspot comic book series The Crying Boy. Rona Mark will pen the screenplay for the project, which is currently in development. The move signals Swan's continued expansion into genre film following the box office success of Resident Evil, which has grossed over $200 million worldwide.
Story and origins of the comic
The Crying Boy follows a grieving widow in Queens, New York, trying to rebuild her life after her husband's violent death. The story centers on Nadia and her son Samir. Their struggle is compounded by a terrifying supernatural threat. Nadia must save her young son from a demon-possessed painting of a crying child. This haunted artwork is a vessel for an ancient entity that has preyed on children for millennia, feeding on their souls.
Comic’s pedigree and publisher’s track record
The comic book series was created by Niall O’Rourke and Rob Moran. It debuted in 2024 and quickly earned a Ringo Award nomination for Best Single Issue or Short Story. The publisher, Keenspot, has a history of transitioning its properties to screen. Founded in 2000 and once the world's largest webcomics publisher, Keenspot first broke into film with the 2022 Universal romantic comedy Marry Me, starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson.
The company's first animated adaptation was Grubbs, based on comics by Max Weaver and featuring a voice cast that included Wil Wheaton and Jerry O'Connell. Keenspot is currently developing further animated projects, including Toy with Kate Micucci and Kung Fu Legume with Sherry Cola and Kheng Hua Tan.
Creative team’s enthusiasm and Swan’s credentials
Keenspot CEO Chris Crosby expressed enthusiasm for Swan's involvement, calling The Crying Boy one of the publisher's best-received titles. Crosby stated that securing a producer of Swan's caliber is a sign of the creativity of writers O’Rourke and Moran. Co-creator Niall O’Rourke also shared his excitement about collaborating with Swan, noting they hit it off immediately and that Swan brings incredible experience and knowledge to the project.
Swan's credentials are rooted in high-profile adaptations. He worked as a senior producer at PlayStation Productions for nearly eight years, overseeing major film and television projects. His producing credits during that tenure include a slate of successful adaptations.
His work as an executive producer on HBO's The Last of Us earned him Emmy nominations in both 2023 and 2025.
Future releases and current status
Interest in the source material remains strong. The first issue of The Crying Boy comic is currently in its third printing. Looking ahead, a deluxe collection of the series is planned for release in 2027 through Keenspot's book distribution deal with Simon & Schuster. The first issue of The Crying Boy is currently in its third printing.
