The public has always had a morbid fascination with serial killers. Be it in novels, documentaries, podcasts or movies, people always want to know more about notorious criminals and their crimes. Netflix’s Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes shows that obsession is still very much alive.
To add to the genre, Hulu is developing a new series centering around America’s first serial killer, H.H. Holmes. The Devil in the White City is a fascinating and disturbing account of one of the most prolific killers of all-time. As dark as the subject matter is, there’s a lot about this series to get excited about. Here’s everything you need to know about Hulu’s The Devil in the White City.
10. The True Story
The true story of H.H. Holmes is truly the stuff of nightmares. Holmes was a con artist living in Chicago during the city’s 1983 World’s Fair, where he ran a successful hotel near the fairgrounds. The hotel was also designed as a death trap filled with passages and hidden room where he would kill his victims.
It is not only the nature of his murders that’s disturbing, but also the fact that he was able to operate for so long. Holmes confessed to 27 murders when caught but it is said he could be responsible for around 200.
9. Based On A Best-Seller
Though centered on a true story, the television series about Holmes will be based on Erik Larson’s novel The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America. The novel was published in 2003 and became a best-seller. It has also been called one of the best modern true crime novels.
The novel not only explores Holmes and his crimes, but also the World’s Fair that was happening at the same time. With such a fascinating backdrop, there is plenty of material in the book to fill a television series.
8. Was Originally A Movie
With such compelling subject matter, it’s no surprise that the novel has been pursued for adaption since it was first published. However, the plans were always to turn the novel into a film. The various attempts kept hitting roadblocks, however, mostly due to budget concerns associated with a period piece.
These days, it seems streaming platforms are more than happy to pay for the things movies can’t afford. Such a complex and dark story might fit better as a show in this new Golden Age of television. It remains to be seen if television is the right way to tell this story.
7. Leo’s Passion Project
The name that has been associated with this project the longest has been Leonardo DiCaprio. After becoming a fan of the novel, DiCaprio bought the rights back in 2010. Since then, the project has always remained one he is actively trying to get off the ground as a starring vehicle for himself.
It’s clear that DiCaprio has a lot of interest in the project and really wants to see it happen. Holmes would have been an interesting character for him to play. He could certainly pull of Holmes’ charming con artist persona, but we rarely see DiCaprio take on such dark roles.
6. Scorsese To Direct
As DiCaprio was trying to get the film off the ground, he convinced his frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese to sign on as director. DiCaprio and Scorsese have obviously had a lot of successful collaborations in the past, and for a long time it looked like this would be their next project together.
Unfortunately, the film was pushed aside for another of Scorsese’s projects which was even longer in development, Silence. It’s a shame we won’t get to see what the master filmmaker would have done with the film as there is so much for him to work with here.
5. Several Writers Attached
Though DiCaprio and Scorsese never did manage to get the film made, it was actively developed for a number of years. There were even some high-profile writers attached at various points, including Graham Moore (The Imitation Game) and Billy Ray (The Hunger Games, Captain Phillips).
Neither of these scripts panned out and it’s not hard to see why. The subject matter and complexity of the story is not an easy adaption. It’s unclear at this point if any of the existing drafts will be used for the Hulu series.
4. Tom Cruise Was Interested
DiCaprio isn’t the only big name that took interest in the project over the years. Back when the rights were still up for grabs, Tom Cruise was circling the project as actor and producer, along with partner Paula Wagner.
This would have been a very interesting project for Cruise as an actor. Like DiCaprio, he can pull off the charming mystery man with no problem. But while Cruise has occasionally played a villain, he has never approached a character as unlikable as someone like Holmes. In the end, it’s not surprising it didn’t work out.
3. So Was Kathryn Bigelow
Another interesting early development for this project was behind the camera with Kathryn Bigelow considering it as a directing project. This would have been a different iteration than the one Cruise was interested in.
Bigelow is certainly an exciting director to be attached to any project. Though she is best known for films with contemporary settings (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty) her filmmaking skill are undeniable. It would have been interesting to see what she could do with the project.
2. Two Storylines
In Erik Larson’s novel, the focus is not entirely on Holmes and his murders. The book is actually two storylines. The second follows a man named Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the 1893 World's Fair. The novel explores how these two men on very separate missions became connected.
You would think the story of a serial killer is much more interesting than that of an architect. However, Burnham’s struggles to see his vision through are surprisingly compelling. It’s likely any film adaption would cut Burnham. Hopefully with the series will dedicate significant time to that story as well.
1. DiCaprio And Scorsese Still Attached
Despite their film version failing to come to fruition, DiCaprio and Scorsese are still involved as executive producers. Of course, that’s not as exciting as these two acting and directing the project, but that doesn’t mean anything has to be ruled out.
The landscape of television is so promising these days that it is attracting big screen names. Scorsese has already directed some television and it’s not entirely implausible that DiCaprio would still star in the television series. He clearly has great interest in the character and might not be ready to give up the role yet. We’ll have to wait and hope.