Martin Scorsese’s ‘Devil in the White City’ Revived at 20th Century With Leonardo DiCaprio in Talks to Star

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The collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio on their upcoming film “The Devil in the White City” is gaining momentum once more, as 20th Century Studios has joined the project. Scorsese and DiCaprio will not only star in the movie but also produce it alongside Stacey Sher, Rick Yorn, and Jennifer Davisson, who is a partner at DiCaprio’s production company, Appian Way.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m excitedly looking forward to the creation of a movie that will be based on Erik Larson’s captivating 2004 novel, “Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America.” In this upcoming production, I’ll find myself immersed in the chilling tale of Dr. H.H. Holmes, a notorious serial killer who exploited the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago to ensnare his unsuspecting victims into a deadly trap.

This ambitious project has been in the works for close to two decades. In 2010, DiCaprio along with his production company Appian Way Productions secured the rights to adapt it into a movie where he would play Holmes. Martin Scorsese joined as director in 2015, with Billy Ray assigned to write the script. It was initially developed in Hollywood by Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner through their Cruise/Wagner label via Paramount’s deal, but the option expired in 2004. However, Paramount re-obtained the film rights in 2007 and partnered with producers Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher for its development.

The television version of the book, initially planned for Hulu under the guidance of director Todd Field and starring Keanu Reeves, was unfortunately canceled in the year 2023.

20th Century and Disney Live Action’s leaders, including President David Greenbaum, President Steve Asbell, and Senior Vice President of Production Sarah Shepard, will take charge of “The Devil in the White City” for the studio.

DiCaprio and Scorsese have worked together on several projects such as “Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator,” “The Departed,” “Shutter Island,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and more recently, “Killers of the Flower Moon.

Deadline was first to report the news.

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2025-01-23 03:46