A series based on Erik Larson's novel of the same, Devil in White City has officially been announced by Hulu and in a surprising turn of events, Keanu Reeves is set to star. The Hollywood Reporter says Leonardo DiCaprio and Appian Way partner Jennifer Davisson will executive produce the project, while legendary film director and long-time collaborator with DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese will also produce.
DiCaprio has owned the rights to Devil in White City since 2010 and the project has undergone several iterations over the last decade. Scorsese was initially attached as director for a feature film adaptation of the novel that DiCaprio was to star in at Paramount Pictures.
Reeves' role in the series will see him take on his largest television part to date as he portrays Daniel H. Burnham, an architect bent on making a name for himself at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The plot also follows Dr. H.H. Holmes, a prolific real-life serial killer whose hotel known as the Murder Castle saw many people meet a grisly end.
Larson's novel has been a consistent top seller in historical non-fiction and is told in four parts, taking place between 1890 and 1893 in Chicago and 1895 in Philadelphia. At the time of the announcement, no episode count has been released, nor had the part of H.H. Holmes been cast. It is also unknown if DiCaprio will appear in the series or stay behind the camera.
DiCaprio currently has a film and television deal with Apple where he serves as executive producer for the streaming series The Shining Girls and starred in Scorsese helmed feature Killers of the Flower Moon based on the book by David Grann. The adaptation for Devil in White City was announced in 2019 by Hulu, but details have been scarce since with many wondering if the series was dead.
In January 2022 it was revealed that Reeves was in talks to star and that director Todd Field would be on board for the first two episodes. However, it has now been confirmed that Field will direct the entire series and that the production will be a collaboration between Paramount Television Studios and Disney’s ABC Signature. With the announcement of Reeves' involvement, interest in the project is sure to be renewed, especially because Reeves typically doesn't take television roles. No information is currently available regarding the start of production or potential air dates for the series.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter