Disney+ Cancels ‘Holes’ TV Series Development
Disney+ has decided to halt the development of its television adaptation of the celebrated novel “Holes,” originally penned by Louis Sachar. This decision follows an earlier commitment to producing a pilot episode at the beginning of the year.
Background of “Holes”
Published in 1998, “Holes” gained significant acclaim, winning both the National Book Award and the prestigious Newbery Medal. Its success led to a film adaptation released in 2003, directed by Andrew Davis. The movie featured Shia LaBeouf as Stanley Yelnats, a teen wrongfully sent to juvenile detention at Camp Green Lake. While digging holes daily in the harsh desert, Stanley uncovers surprising links between the camp’s land and his own family history.
Notable Cast and Crew
The film’s ensemble cast included prominent names such as:
- Sigourney Weaver
- Khleo Thomas
- Jon Voight
- Tim Blake Nelson
- Patricia Arquette
- Dulé Hill
- Eartha Kitt
New Pilot’s Concept
The recent pilot aimed to reimagine the “Holes” storyline from a different perspective. This adaptation featured a teenage girl navigating life at a detection camp, diverging from the original male protagonist. Shay Rudolph was cast as Hayley, the lead character, while Greg Kinnear was set to portray the camp warden.
Supporting Cast
The pilot also announced a talented supporting cast that included:
- Aidy Bryant as Sissy, the camp counselor
- Noah Cottrell as Kitch, a kitchen employee
- Flor Delis Alicea
- Anire Kim Amoda
- Iesha Daniels
- Sophie Dieterlen
- Alexandra Doke
- Maeve Press
Production Team
The pilot was led by writer Alina Mankin, with Liz Phang serving as the showrunner and Jac Schaeffer directing. Key executive producers comprised Mankin, Phang, and Drew Goddard through Goddard Textiles, along with Sarah Esberg and Mike Medavoy of Shamrock, who holds the rights to the material.
Walden Media, known for the original film adaptation, produced the pilot, with 20th Television acting as the studio behind the project.
While the pilot’s cancellation marks a significant shift, it reflects the challenges of adapting beloved literary works for modern audiences.
