Amazing News! Keanu Reeves Set To Star As Famed Chicago Architect Daniel H. Burnham In Hulu's Upcoming Adaptation of "The Devil In The White City"
ABC Chicago - Keanu Reeves will star in a TV adaptation of "The Devil in the White City," the bestselling nonfiction thriller about ambition, a killer and the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.
The video featured is from a previous report.
Reeves will portray Daniel H. Burnham, an architect "trying to make his mark on history" with his designs for the fair, Hulu said in announcing the limited series Thursday. The other central role, that of convicted murderer Dr. H.H. Holmes, has yet to be cast, the streaming service said.
Erik Larson's novelistic-style account of the fair - formally called the World's Columbian Exposition - was published in 2003. The fair's nickname was White City, stemming from the color of many of its building exteriors.
Various Hollywood players circled the book, and Leonardo DiCaprio acquired the rights in 2010, with the aim of starring in a big-screen version as Holmes. Martin Scorsese reportedly was set to direct.
Scorsese, DiCaprio and Reeves are among the series' producers. There was no immediate word of an on-screen role for DiCaprio in the Hulu project, and its release date was not announced.
For those that have never read "The Devil In The White City", do yourself a favor and smash the buy button on Amazon right now.
It's without a doubt one of the best books I've ever read and for Chicagoans, or anybody that loves the city, it's a must-read.
Without spoiling anything-
It tells the true story of Daniel H. Burnham (Reeves), a demanding but visionary architect who races to make his mark 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.
It paints an incredible picture of Chicago as a burgeoning city at the turn of the century. With murder, mystery, and drama all juxtaposing against one of the biggest events in the world, the 1893 World's Fair, it makes for an entertaining, and informative read both at the same time.
If you find reading to be the most boring thing possible, but still wish you read more often, this is a great book to dip your foot in the pool with.
And the story of this great book being brought to life on the screen has been long and complicated.
Leo 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, but the option lapsed in 2004. Paramount reacquired the film rights in 2007 and set it up with producers Michael Shamberg and Sher. Hulu announced they were developing it as a series in 2019, with Reeves being reportedly in negotiations for a lead role in the show in January 2022.
Martin Scorsese, Rick Yorn, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson of Appian Way, Stacey Sher, Sam Shaw, and Mark Lafferty serve as executive producers on the series. Reeves will executive produce in addition to starring.
How they finally got this thing over the finish line and made an official announcement is amazing news. I can't wait to see this all brought to life when it's finished.
p.s. - a few month ago Michael Angelo and I announced the Barstool Book Club. We got a little off track and distracted but we are planning to get things back online in the next week or two. For anybody who has any suggestions or advice please drop us a line on social media or email me at dante@barstoolsports.com