‘The Devil in the White City’ loses star Keanu Reeves and director Todd Field

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Keanu Reeves and director Todd Field have exited the Hulu and Paramount TV series, The Devil in The White City. The news followed only two months after casting was originally announced, with Hulu refusing to comment on the topic.

The Devil in The White City is an adaptation of Erik Larson’s 2003 crime novel, with The Matrix star Keanu Reeves originally set to star as a main cast member. The series is set to run for eight episodes, with an expected 2024 launch, and production will begin in 2023.

The adaptation follows the true story of Dr. H. H. Holmes (Dr Henry Howard Holmes), in a telling of the American serial killer. The film, set in the 19th century, follows the 27 confessed murders committed by Holmes, from 1891 to 1894.  The official description of the series is said to follow Holmes’s story, as well as “visionary architect” Daniel H. Burnham’s involvement in the specifically designed creation of the 1993 Chicago World’s Fair. Often known as the ‘Murder Castle,’ con artist Holmes used the Chicago building to kill his victims.

Ex-leading man Keanu Reeves was expected to make his first-ever major television role. However, he has left the producers on the hunt for both a new leading star and director for the limited series. Reeves dropped out on October 7th, beginning the contagion of cast dropping-outs. Five-time Oscar-nominated director Todd Field (Tar), exited shortly after Reeves, creating a massive stint in the production line. We’re still left wondering when, how, and if Hulu will recover from the losses.

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are among some of the more ‘known’ members of the producing team, acting as executive producers. After already attempting to make the series for a decade, Scorsese, DiCaprio, and Hulu are experiencing further complications. DiCaprio gained the rights to the series in 2010 and was originally expected to play the notorious killer, Holmes, with Scorsese joining in 2015.

Will the series ever break the surface? Or will the 20-year struggle to adapt The Devil in The White City simply be eternal?

Words by Mia Stapleton


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