The Devil in the White City finds new life at 20th Century Studios

Devil City

The long-gestating adaptation of Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City has found yet another potential path forward, as 20th Century Studios picks up the project.

This latest iteration is in development, with Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly in talks to star and Martin Scorsese circling the director’s chair. The feature film will be produced by DiCaprio, Scorsese, Stacey Sher, Rick Yorn, and Jennifer Davisson.

The true-crime story, based on Larson’s best-selling 2003 book, interweaves two captivating narratives set against the backdrop of Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair: the architectural achievements of Daniel Burnham, the mastermind behind the fair, and the sinister deeds of H.H. Holmes, the serial killer who used his infamous “Murder Castle” to lure victims to their deaths.

A Troubled History

The project’s journey to the screen has been as dramatic as its source material. First optioned by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner’s production company in the early 2000s, the rights have since passed through multiple hands, including Paramount, DreamWorks, and Hulu, with countless starts and stops along the way.

In 2010, Leonardo DiCaprio purchased the film rights, originally envisioning it as a feature film with him portraying H.H. Holmes. In 2015, it was announced that Scorsese would direct, reuniting with DiCaprio for what promised to be an epic collaboration.

The feature eventually transitioned to a Hulu limited series in 2019, with Sam Shaw (Castle Rock) attached as writer and showrunner, Todd Field (Tár) set to direct, and Keanu Reeves cast in the pivotal role of Daniel Burnham. The eight-episode series was slated to begin filming in 2023, split between Chicago and Toronto.

However, the series hit a major snag in late 2022 when Reeves exited the project just two months after his casting was announced. Field also departed, leaving Hulu scrambling to fill key roles. Rumors swirled about potential replacements, including Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), Jude Law, and director Matt Ross (Captain Fantastic), but by early 2023, Hulu officially pulled the plug, leaving The Devil in the White City without a home.

Back to the Big Screen

According to THR, 20th Century Studios has stepped in to resurrect the story as a feature film. While the project is still in its early stages and lacks a finalized script, the attachment of DiCaprio and Scorsese signals a commitment to finally bringing Larson’s chilling tale to life.

For fans and Chicago production locals, there’s renewed hope that the film will showcase the city that serves as the story’s true heart. Whether this iteration will finally reach the screen remains to be seen, but The Devil in the White City has proven it’s a tale too compelling to fade away.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.


Keanu Reeves exits Devil in the White City