Keanu Reeves has exited Hulu’s The Devil in the White City. Variety first reported the news, as the show, which began development in 2019, will look for a new lead. Hulu officially ordered the series in August 2022, though Reeves didn’t stay with the project for long. The series is based on the novel of the same name by Eric Larson.
The Devil in the White City has a long history, with Leonardo DiCaprio first acquiring the rights in 2010. The actor hoped to adapt the book into a feature film with Martin Scorsese set to direct. However, in 2019, Hulu announced that it was developing the project as a limited series with DiCaprio and Scorsese on board as executive producers. The official synopsis for the series reads: “Tells the true story of Daniel H. Burnham, 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.”
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Reeves was set to play Burnham in an announcement that came just a few months earlier at the beginning of August. The casting was particularly notable because it would’ve been Reeves’s first major U.S. television role. Scorsese and DiCaprio will continue as exec. producers, with Sam Shaw writing and Todd Field directing. The Devil in the White City is hoping for a 2024 premiere, with production beginning next year.
Keanu Reeves Has a Lot On His Plate
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Keanu Reeves is one of the most in-demand actors working in Hollywood, as he stars in the titular role for the John Wick franchise. The 58-year-old actor will star in the fourth installment, temporarily titled John Wick: Chapter 4, which will serve as a direct continuation of the third film. The movie, helmed by Chad Stahelski, is gearing up for a release later next year on March 24, 2023.
Reeves is also preparing for BRZRKR, an adaptation of the comic series created by the actor. The film will be an anime releasing on Netflix, with the actor set to star and possibly direct the project. If that wasn’t enough, Reeves has recently mentioned an interest in joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which could end up being one of the biggest roles of his career. The actor says he would prefer playing Ghost Rider, a role previously held by Nicolas Cage in his 2007 feature film.
Whether we see Reeves in an MCU film or not is still up for debate. Of course, fans always want more Keanu, but they won’t be getting it with Devil in the White City. Still, audiences look forward to his performance in John Wick: Chapter 4, BRZRKR, and the upcoming Constantine 2.