20th Century Studios Boards Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio Thriller
The new film will be based on Erik Larson's book "Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America."
A new project from Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio has been picked up by 20th Century Studios. The new film is expected to explore the story of the 1893 World’s Fair serial killer.
What’s Happening:
- According to Variety, 20th Century Studios has hopped on a new Martin Scorsese project titled The Devil in the White City with Leonardo DiCaprio expected to star.
- Set to be produced by Scorsese and DiCaprio alongside Stacey Sher, Rick Yorn and Jennifer Davisson, the new film will be an adaptation of Erik Larson’s best selling 2004 novel Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America.
- Based on a true story, the book follows Dr.H.H. Holmes, a serial killer who used the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago to commit a series of murders.
- No script has been written as of yet.
- The idea for this project isn’t new, however. DiCaprio and his production company Appian Way acquired the film rights to the book back in 2010, where he intended to play Holmes.
- Scorsese joined to direct in 2015, with Billy Ray set to scribe.
- This was not the beginning of the novel’s Hollywood journey.
- Back in 2004, Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner first put the idea into development in a deal with Paramount. However, their deal lapsed in 2007, with the media company acquiring the rights. It was intended to be produced by Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher.
- Even just a few years ago, a series adaptation of the book was set for Hulu, with Todd Field as director and Keanu Reeves as Holmes. The project was scrapped in 2023.
- 20th Century and Disney Live Action President David Greenbaum, 20th Century President Steve Asbell and Senior Vice President of Productions will oversee the project for the studio.
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