Keanu Reeves has dropped out of the hotly anticipated serial killer show The Devil in the White City.
The series will adapt Erik Larson's 2003 book of the same name, which follows the true story of Daniel H. Burnham — an architect who tries to make history at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Meanwhile, Dr. H. H. Holmes — known as America's first modern serial killer — builds the infamous 'Murder Castle' at the fair.
Reeves was set to play the lead role of Burnham, which would have been his first major television credit after a long career starring predominantly in movies. However, Variety reported that the Matrix actor has dropped out of the role for undisclosed reasons.
What to Read Next
Related: Keanu Reeves returning to DC for Constantine sequel
The search is now on for Reeves' replacement, while no actor has been cast in the role of Holmes, either at the time of writing. Considering the names attached to the project, however, that shouldn't be too difficult. Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese are attached as producers.
DiCaprio purchased the film rights in 2010 and it was touted as a movie for a while with Scorsese attached as director. Captain Phillips writer Billy Ray would have written the script and DiCaprio himself would have starred as Holmes.
Instead, the project went into development as a TV series for Hulu in 2019. In 2022, the series was officially ordered. The series was said to start filming in early 2023 with a planned air date of 2024. It is unknown how Reeves' departure will affect that schedule.
Related: The Matrix Resurrections' Keanu Reeves weighs in on possibility of fifth movie
Reeves recently starred in the fourth Matrix movie The Matrix Resurrections, while he also voiced Batman in the animated movie DC League of Super-Pets. It was recently reported that he will officially return to his role as the iconic DC character John Constantine in Constantine 2.
![The Matrix Trilogy Blu-ray box set [4K Ultra HD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1619004349-51vBEaTA7kL._SL500_.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Matrix Trilogy Blu-ray box set [4K Ultra HD]")
Warner Bros/Zavvi Matrix 'Choice Is An Illusion' hoodie with rabbit illustration
Titan Comics The Matrix Comics – 20th Anniversary Edition
Running Press Why We Love The Matrix by Kim Taylor-Foster
![The Matrix [Blu-ray]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1619004950-12720152-8264832985578259.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Matrix [Blu-ray]")
![The Animatrix [DVD] [2003]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1619005044-51M0YVBBRWL._SL500_.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Animatrix [DVD] [2003]")
Reporter, Digital Spy
Jacob is a freelance writer who specialises in narrative TV and film.
He graduated from the University of Roehampton with an MA in Journalism and has written for several publications since, including Gold Derby, Insider, and Screen Daily.
Jacob has covered major events in the world of film and TV, including numerous BAFTA ceremonies and the Cannes Film Festival, while he's also been an awards expert for several publications, including Korea's Arirang. His particular areas of interest include Star Wars, the MCU, the Oscars, and Hugh Grant.
