‘The Crying Boy’ Comic Getting Film Adaptation From ‘Resident Evil’ Producer Carter Swan

Keenspot horror comic The Crying Boy is being developed for the big screen with producer Carter Swan attached.

As Resident Evil continues its theatrical run, producer Carter Swan is lining up another genre project with a feature adaptation of Keenspot’s horror comic The Crying Boy.

Swan is developing the comic book series, created by writer Niall O’Rourke and artist Rob Moran, for the big screen. Rona Mark is writing the screenplay.

Published by Keenspot in 2024, The Crying Boy centers on a grieving widow attempting to rebuild her life in Queens following the violent death of her husband. Her family’s situation takes a supernatural turn when her young son forms an unsettling attachment to a painting depicting a crying child.

The painting proves to be far more dangerous than it initially appears, serving as the vessel for an ancient demonic presence that has preyed upon children for thousands of years. The mother is ultimately forced to confront the entity as she attempts to prevent her son from becoming its latest victim.

The comic has gained attention since its debut, earning a Ringo Award nomination for Best Single Issue or Short Story. Its first issue is currently in its third printing, while Keenspot is planning a deluxe collection of the series for 2027 through the publisher’s book distribution agreement with Simon & Schuster.

O’Rourke said Swan’s involvement came after the producer read the screenplay and responded positively to the original comic series.

“Super excited to work with Carter Swan and develop the project,” O’Rourke said. “He brings an incredible amount of experience and knowledge to this.”

Swan brings an extensive background in video game adaptations and genre properties to the project. He spent nearly eight years as a senior producer at PlayStation Productions before departing at the end of 2025, working on projects including HBO’s The Last of Us, Uncharted, Gran Turismo, Twisted Metal and Until Dawn.

He also worked on Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil during his tenure at PlayStation Productions. Swan received Emmy nominations as an executive producer on The Last of Us in 2023 and 2025.

For Keenspot, The Crying Boy represents another expansion of its comic catalog into film and television. Founded in 2000 and initially known as a major publisher of webcomics, the company previously saw its webcomic Marry Me adapted into Universal’s 2022 romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson.

Keenspot has also moved into animation with Grubbs, based on Max Weaver’s comics, featuring a voice cast that included Wil Wheaton, Jerry O’Connell and Jodie Sweetin. Additional animated projects currently in development include Toy, with Kate Micucci attached, and Kung Fu Legume, featuring Sherry Cola and Kheng Hua Tan.

Keenspot CEO Chris Crosby pointed to the response to The Crying Boy as a factor in the property’s move toward a feature adaptation.

“The Crying Boy has been one of Keenspot’s best-received titles and we’re ecstatic that a producer like Swan will be helping to bring it to the big screen,” Crosby said.

No director, cast or production timeline for The Crying Boy adaptation has been announced.