In the newest setback to the Devil in the White City, Hulu has pulled the plug on the decades-in-the-making series, adding to a long line of obstacles of Who’s-on-first? Who’s the lead? and where are they going to film this series-turned-to-feature film-turned-to-series-turned-to-feature film-turned-to-series?
Based on the novel by Erik Larson the story is set in Chicago in 1893, interweaving the true tales of Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the 1893 World’s Fair, and H. H. Holmes, a serial killer who lured his victims to their deaths in his elaborately constructed “Murder Castle.”
The project has had a long list of famous names attached to it as the book rights changed hands a number of times. First put in development in Hollywood by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner through their Cruise/Wagner banner, the option lapsed in 2004. Paramount reacquired the film rights in 2007 and set it up with producers Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher. There was also a minute when it was envisioned as a feature film, with Sam Shaw (Castle Rock) on board as writer, executive producer. Back in 2010, Reel Chicago mentioned that Devil in the White City was to be produced by Dreamworks and filmed in Chicago in 2011.
Later that year, it was announced that Leonardo DiCaprio purchased the rights to the book and had, at the time, set it up to be a feature with Paramount. In 2015 came the announcement that the legendary director Martin Scorsese would be reuniting with DiCaprio for this project. At that time, DiCaprio was to play H.H. Holmes, who is said to have murdered between 27 to 200 people, mostly single young women.
In 2019, Hulu announced that it would be developing the book into a mini-series instead of a feature film and that Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese would executive produce the project along with Stacey Sher, Rick Yorn, Emma Koskoff, and Jennifer Davisson. Director Todd Field signed on to helm the first two episodes with Sam Shaw, who created Castle Rock and Manhattan, adapting the book to scripted form. Paramount was set to be involved with Paramount TV Studios producing alongside ABC Signature and Appian Way.
In August of 2022, after months of dealmaking, it was announced that Keanu Reeves (The Matrix, John Wick) would star in his first official television series ever, in the role of Daniel Burnham in the limited series. Filming entirely in Chicago in 2023. The eight episode limited series was set to launch in 2024. Also in August, Production Weekly, posted that the series was scheduled to begin filming in March 2023 and would be filmed in Chicago and Toronto. Later info came through the grapevine that Toronto would carry most of the filming and very little filming would be done in Chicago.
Just two months after Hulu announced that Keanu Reeves would lead the cast, word came that Reeves had left the project along with the director Todd Field. No reason was given. Hulu was looking for a replacement lead.
It is said that Hulu, Paramount Television Studios, and Disney’s ABC Signature, were in talks with The Bear star Jeremy Allen White and Jude Law and director Matt Ross for the project. Sources say ABC Signature is still in talks with White, Law and director Ross for the series, even though Devil in the White City is currently homeless.
It’s not over yet. There are plans in the works to find a new home for the series. Let’s hope it returns to film in Chicago.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates, or sign up for our free elert here and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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