Ryan Murphy reportedly has a new project in his sights with an adaptation of a Bret Easton Ellis novel. Murphy is a writer, director, and producer best known for his work in the television space. He created shows like Glee and American Horror Story, and some of his more recent work includes 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and Monster. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story was released on Netflix last fall and has been a big hit, and the producer shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to creating new shows.

THR now reports Murphy could be eying an adaptation of Ellis' The Shards, a 2023 autofiction novel. The report notes that an adaptation of The Shards, which serves as a loose prequel to Ellis' Less Than Zero, has been in development at HBO since January 2024, with Jacob Elordi previously in talks to star and Kristoffer Borgli signed on to direct. The project reportedly then fell apart in September, however, over "creative differences." Ellis said the following about the experience:

“I really felt like eight months of the year had been wasted. I said, ‘Never again; I’m never going to do this again.’ ”

Now, though, things may be looking up for an adaptation of The Shards. THR has heard two different status updates about the project, one that claims Murphy's deal is essentially done, and another that says, "There have been discussions but nothing firm.”

What Ryan Murphy's Involvement Means For The Shards

Murphy's Latest Shows Have Been Successes

The Shards features a character named Bret as its narrator, and the book serves as Bret's recollection of his senior year in high school in 1981. The story features romance, drugs, and murder, all of which Murphy is no stranger to including in his own shows. The Shards was met with generally positive reviews upon its release in 2023.

Murphy is coming off of several successful projects that could make him just the person to pull The Shards out of development hell. Though reviews for Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story were mixed from critics, the series has been a major viewership hit on Netflix. Murphy's other big 2024 project, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, has also been a success, and it's been a contender at most major awards shows, earning five Emmy nominations and one Golden Globe nomination.

Monster season 3 is in the works, with Charlie Hunnam set to play serial killer Ed Gein.

Our Take On Murphy Saving The Shards

Murphy Is Well Suited To The Project

From the sound of things, Ellis has grown rather disillusioned with Hollywood over his frustrating experience at HBO with The Shards. Murphy, however, does seem like a good fit for the project, and he certainly has the cache as a TV producer to get the ball rolling on the project. Even if not all of Murphy's projects receive glowing reviews, they're generally hits with audiences, and there's a populist sensibility to his work that evidently appeals to the average TV viewer.

It remains unclear whether The Shards will actually emerge from development hell, and if it does, it's hard to say when it might release. If it does, though, those who enjoy Murphy's shows could have another exciting TV experience to look forward to.

Source: THR