Leonardo DiCaprio might play the star serial killer of Erik Larson‘s best-selling non-fiction bestseller The Devil in the White City, which has been in some stage of production pretty much since it was published. Marc Froster was a step away from taking on the material, until it all fell apart. [Deadline]
DiCaprio’s Appian Way has paired with Double Features Films (currently behind Soderbergh’s in-production Contagion) have acquired the screen rights to the book, which tells of Dr. HH Holmes, the famed serial killer who wrought havoc during the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. Before Holmes died in 1896, he confessed to 27 murders. But history suggests it may have been quite a bit more. Some put the number at around 200.He built the World’s Fair Hotel, which became a haven for the majority of his killings. History, and Mr. Larson, describe him as a charming man, a la Ted Bundy.
This news comes on the heels of equally exciting DiCaprio news regarding Baz Luhrmann’s Great Gatsby adaptation, potentially starring the leading man and maybe even Rebecca Hall.
If one of these projects hits the ground rolling soon, it’ll be a happy day for DiCaprio fans.
Have you read Larson’s book? Will you before this film gets into production?