From Paramount Pictures and director Martin Scorsese comes the big screen adaptation of The Devil in the White City, based on the true crime novel from Erik Larson. The screenplay was written by Billy Ray (Captain Phillips) and the film stars Leonardio DiCaprio, who will portray the legendary serial killer Dr. H.H. Holmes . No release date has been set.
Their fates were linked by the magical Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, nicknamed the “White City” for its majestic beauty. Architect Daniel Burnham built it; serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes used it to lure victims to his World’s Fair Hotel, designed for murder. Both men left behind them a powerful legacy, one of brilliance and energy, the other of sorrow and darkness. Here, then, is your ticket to the greatest fair in history—a place where incredible dreams came to life alongside darkest nightmares.
The Devil in the White City was published in 2003 by author Erik Larson and the upcoming film adaptation will be the sixth effort in which DiCaprio and Scorsese have teamed up. DiCaprio’s producing partner Jennifer Killoran commented on his upcoming performance as the serial killer Dr. H.H. Holmes years ago before the rights were attained, saying:
“I think that a guy who is that intelligent and that charismatic is nothing less than complex, and it’s that complexity that (DiCaprio) is drawn to. And because people don’t know much about him, it makes it even more interesting.”
Source: Deadline
Dr. H. H. Holmes has been rumoured to have murdered over 200 people during his time as an active killer in the 1800’s, although only nine were actually confirmed and he confessed to 27.