Keanu Reeves Exits Martin Scorsese & Leonardo DiCaprio's 'Devil In The White City'

Renowned actorKeanu Reeves will no longer be a part of the upcoming streaming television series, "Devil in the White City" at Hulu.

Variety reports that Reeves has departed from the project, and Hulu is now searching for a replacement to fill his shoes for the Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio-produced series.

Hulu and Reeves' reps opted not to comment on the news. Hulu has been developing the series since 2019 and gave it a series order back in August 2022. However, the show has been in various stages of development for over a decade.

Based on the 2003 historical non-fiction book by Erik Larson, "Devil in the White City" will depict the true story of America's first modern serial killer, Dr. H. H. Holmes, the man behind the notorious "Murder Castle" built in the shadow of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. It will also tell the story of Daniel H. Burnham, the visionary architect who races to make his mark on history with the World's Fair.

Reeves was previously cast in the role of Daniel H. Burnham before his exit. It would have been his first major American television role. The role of Dr. H. H. Holmes has reportedly not been cast as of yet.

The show has quite the pedigree behind with Scorsese and DiCaprio attached as executive producers, along with Rick Yorn and Jennifer Davisson, for Appian Way. Stacey Sher, Sam Shaw, and Mark Lafferty are also serving as executive producers for the project.

Sam Shaw is adapting Larson's book for the small screen and is also serving as series showrunner and executive producer. Lila Byock is also attached as an executive producer. ABC Signature is producing the show in association with Paramount Television Studios.

"Devil in the White City" has had quite the long road to completion. Award-winning actor and producer DiCaprio first purchased the rights to Larson's book in 2003. Variety notes that the plan was originally going to become a film, with DiCaprio starring in the role of Dr. H. H. Holmes.

In 2015, Scorsese came onto the project to direct it, with Billy Ray writing the screenplay. However, it did not materialize.

Further back, Tom Cruise and longtime producing partner Paula Wagner began developing the book as a film adaptation in the early aughts as part of a deal with Paramount Pictures, but rights on the book lapsed in 2004. Later on, Paramount reacquired the film rights to the book in 2007, where it was later set up with producers Michael Shamberg and Sher.

Eventually, the project evolved into a television series at Hulu. While the series has been greenlit at Hulu, it now faces another setback with Reeves' exit.

Reeves turned 58 last month, but he is not slowing down at all regarding his acting career. The next saga of the "John Wick" franchise, "John Wick: Chapter 4," arrives in theaters on March 24, 2023.

Also, he's slated to return to the role of John Constantine, based on the DC comic book character, in a sequel to his 2005 film. Deadline reports that Reeves will re-team with filmmaker Francis Lawrence for the follow-up to the original film.

Also, he's developing a new film with Netflix based on his BOOM! Studios comic book, "BRZRKR." Reeves is the creator and co-writer of the comic book with co-writer Matt Kindt and artist Ron Garney. Reeves is also expected to star in the Netflix adaptation based on the comic he created and co-wrote.

While Reeves won't be appearing in "Devil in the White City" on Hulu, it looks like he's still got a busy schedule ahead.