According to Slashfilm, the adaptation of Erik Larson's book The Devil in the White City planned to be adapted by Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio will not be a major movie starring DiCaprio, and directed by Scorsese after all. 

Rather the two will produce as it heads to Hulu. 


On the one hand, it's disappointing news because the cinephile in all us would love another lavish period production from Scorsese and Leo about one of history's creeps/madmen. 

On the other hand, the book being adapted for Hulu perhaps means more creative leeway and a deeper dive into the events depicted in the story. It's always interesting to note how these things happen. The book, The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed Americawas a bestseller released in 2004. It's been in 'various stages of development' since 2003. 

One would think that if Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese wanted to make a movie out of a best selling book it happens right? If they can't do that, then who can? 

But the road to the screen is long and fraught with peril. Even with some of the biggest and most celebrated names in a piece of intellectual property's corner. Consider the route, via THR

 It was previously at Warner Bros, before moving to Paramount — but the studio let the rights lapse in 2004 and again in 2007, as the period setting posed budgetary challenges. At one point, Tom Cruise was to star and produce an adaptation and later Kathryn Bigelow was attached to direct and produce. It wasn't until 2010 that DiCaprio, said to be long fascinated by the dark subject matter, nabbed the rights himself.

We don't often consider how people like Tom Cruise, Kathryn Bigelow, and Leonardo DiCaprio could all circle a high profile book and still not get it made into a movie 15 years down the line. But it happens!

Just because you write a best-selling award-winning book, and it gets optioned by some of te biggest names in Hollywood doesn't mean you'll be seeing it theaters anytime soon. The details of deals, schedules, packaging, and availability can all derail what should be a sure thing. 

We're still excited to see this story come to the small screen, and the flipside of losing out on the big Marty-Leo movie is that the project will have ample room for fresh creative voices. 

Source: THR