A long-gestating collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio may finally happen. Variety reports that the director-actor duo are eying “The Devil In The White City” once again as their next project. If it happens, 20th Century Studios will produce, with the pair leading producers with Stacey Sher, Rick Yorn, as well as Jennifer Davisson via DiCaprio’s Appian Way banner.
But if it happens remains the key phrase here. Several adaptations of Erik Larson‘s 2004 bestseller have entered development over the past two decades, with none of them greenlit. And for Scorsese and DiCaprio, it’s their second time circling the project. DiCaprio first got his hands on the rights to Larson’s book in 2010, after Tom Cruise‘s option on it lapsed, and then fell into Paramount‘s hands in 2007. Scorsese joined to direct a Billy Ray script in 2015, but nothing came of it. Then “The Devil In The White City” surfaced a little over two years ago as a Hulu series adaptation with Todd Field on board to direct and Keanu Reeves starring, with those plans were scrapped in 2023.
So it’s been a rough road for the true-crime story. Subtitled “Murder, Magic, And Madness At The Fair That Changed America,” Larson’s book tackles the topic of 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, and the infamous serial killer, H.H. Holmes, who operated in the city during the event. DiCaprio’s plans for his adaptation would have him star as Holmes; quite a departure for the now fifty-year-old actor. But the story will no doubt be sensational in Scorsese’s hands. If “Devil In The White City” indeed happens, it’ll be the seventh collaboration between actor and director.
20th Century and Disney Live Action president David Greenbaum oversees the project with 20th Century president Steve Asbell and SVP of Production Sarah Shepard.
So will a “The Devil In The White City” adaptation finally happen? If Scorsese directs, he’ll have to hold off on “Life Of Jesus” and his Frank Sinatra biopic for a while longer, but they’ve been off his schedule for a while now anyway. Scorsese’s adaptation of Marilynne Robinson‘s “Home“ will have to wait, too. As for DiCaprio, he’ll star next in Paul Thomas Anderson‘s latest, which is still scheduled for an August 8, 2025 theatrical release.
Stay tuned for more details on this project soon.
