Keanu Reeves reportedly drops out of Hulu’s The original plan was for DiCaprio to star in a Devil in the White City movie directed by Martin Scorsese.
It was indeed easy to see why talents the size of Scorsese and DiCaprio would be attracted to Larson’s book, a non-fiction thriller set in 1880s Chicago and dealing in part with the exploits of notorious serial killer H.H. Holmes. And though the idea of a DiCaprio-starring movie adaptation later was scrapped, Devil in the White City remained on course to happen as a TV show, with its former star and director staying on-board to executive produce. The project even received a huge boost in August 2022 when Reeves reportedly came aboard in the role of architect Daniel H. Burnham, opening the door for the John Wick star to finally cross over to the small-screen side of things.
But fans’ dreams of Reeves playing a major role in a TV show produced by Scorsese and DiCaprio now appear to have been dashed. As reported by Variety, Reeves has dropped out of the Devil in the White City project. Hulu is said to now be searching for a replacement. Perhaps interestingly, both Hulu and Reeves’ reps are remaining mum on the matter according to Variety. The show is reportedly set to go before cameras beginning in Spring of 2023.
Why Devil In The White City Was Big For Keanu Reeves
Decades after first making a big impression on fans in films like Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Reeves remains one of the biggest movie stars on Earth. And notably, he’s managed to maintain that status without landing a major role in an established franchise like the MCU or Star Wars. Of course Reeves keeps his star shining with his own action franchise, John Wick, and also recently revisited one of his biggest earlier triumphs by starring in the long-awaited sequel The Matrix Resurrections.
Devil in the White City then was set to be a big departure for Reeves as it would have marked his first time taking a major role in a small-screen project. Movie stars crossing over to TV and streaming has of course become common place in recent years, with everyone from Harrison Ford to Sylvester Stallone making the previously-unthinkable leap. Reeves in fact has been one of the last hold-outs, along with established superstars like Tom Cruise and Devil in the White City producer DiCaprio.
If Reeves ever was going to make the big-to-small-screen series leap, the prestigious Devil in the White City would seemingly have been the perfect vehicle. But for whatever reason it seems Reeves will hold on to his big-screen-only status for a little longer. Perhaps this means he has a different small screen vehicle lined up for some point in the future. Or maybe he just decided that the mystique of being a true movie star is worth preserving for the time-being. Devil in the White City meanwhile appears to still be going forward, having received a series order from Hulu just two months ago.
Source: Variety