Keanu Reeves will no longer star in the Hulu series adaptation of The Devil in the White City variety learned exclusively from the source. The show was first put into development at Hulu n 2019 and was officially ordered into a series at the streamer in August 2022. It is based on the book of the same name by Erik Larson.
Per the official Hulu logline, the show tells the true story of Daniel H. Burnham, a demanding but visionary architect who races to take his marks on history with the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, and Dr. H. H. Holmes, America’s first modern serial killer and the man behind the notorious Murder Castle built in the fair’s shadow. Reeves was cast as Burnham in what would have been his first major American television role, but the search is now on for a replacement. No one has been cast as Holmes at the time of this publishing.
Reps For Hulu Declined To Comment
Reps for Reeves did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment. Martin Scorsese, Rick Yorn, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson of Appian Way, Stacey Sher, Sam Shaw, and Mark Lafferty serve as executive producers on the series. Sam Shaw is adapting the book for the screen and will serve as showrunner and executive producer, with Lila Byock also executive producing.ABC Signature will produce in association with Hulu Paramount Television Studios.
This is the latest chapter in the long development history of the book. DiCaprio acquired the rights in 2010 with plans to adapt it as a film in which he would star as Holmes. Scorsese came on board to direct in 2015 with Billy Ray set to write the script. It was first put in development in Hollywood by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner through their Cruise/Wagner banner via the shingle’s deal with Paramount.
