Did You Hear? is a weekly examination of headlines in the entertainment industry and a take on what they could mean for the future of the industry and (often), the little geeky bubble that we occupy!
Devil in the White City at Hulu Get a New Leading Man
The H.H. Holmes adaptation from the popular book Devil in the White City has been in development for a
minute. Leonardo DiCaprio was attached for a long, long time and this week Variety has reported that the kindest man in Hollywood, Keanu Reeves, is set to star. By my recollection Devil in the White City was slated as a film project, but it has emerged from development hell as a limited series.
Per Variety:
The series is based on the book of the same name by Erik Larson. 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. News comes as Hulu meets reporters virtually on Thursday for its portion of the TV Critics Association press tour.
… and it appears many of the previously attached talent will remain in place in producer roles including:
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 …
Devil in the White City not only brings a hugely popular true crime tale to streaming all over the world, it also stands up as Keanu Reeves television debut. The actor has previously staked his claim as strictly a film actor.
Variety broke down the long road it took getting from there to here:
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 onboard 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 reported to be in negotiations for a lead role in the show in January 2022.
Though, admittedly, in the wake of projects like Preacher and Deadpool it appears Devil in the White City had a relatively small road. Either way I am looking forward to Reeves bringing the gravitas he has become famous for in his roles as Neo and the eponymous John Wick to a real-world drama.
Kung Fu Panda 4 Sets a Release Date
Today Variety reported on the fourth installment in the Jack Black-led Kung Fu Panda series eyeing a 2024 release date. Universal announced their intention to start off the 2024 family film season with Kung Fu Panda 4.
The film, which is slated for a March 8, 2024 release, will be the first film in the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise since 2016, when the DreamWorks Animation series concluded a planned trilogy.
… reports Variety and reminds readers …
The first “Kung Fu Panda” film was DreamWorks’ highest-grossing original animated film, earning $631 million at the global box office. The films in total grossed $1.8 billion, and spawned a franchise that includes several animated TV specials and three series, including “The Dragon Knight,” which premiered its first season on Netflix last month.
… and this is the part of Did You Hear where I really encourage you to check out The Dragon Knight if you’ve been sleeping on that series!
The Menu Drops a New Trailer
Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult – two former X-Men actors! – debuted a new trailer for their upcoming film The Menu today:
THE MENU | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures
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The horror movie also starring James Bond mainstay Ralph Fiennes, has already been referred to be social media as “what is Gordon Ramsay led a horror movie” expands on the mythology of the world within the restaurant.
“He’s not a chef. He’s a storyteller.” Hoult’s character Tyler insists.
The Menu appears to be a fun spin on the bottle-episode archetype of a single location film. It will stand next to Smile and Bodies Bodies Bodies as upcoming dark genre films fans who were hoping Morbius would be a little more brutal are looking forward to.
