Hulu cancels Hitman TV series

Hulu has officially pulled the plug on its long-gestating TV adaptation of the Hitman video game franchise. The news was confirmed by the project’s creator, Derek Kolstad, who is best known for architecting the John Wick universe.

“It’s DOA… You never know in this industry, but right now, it feels like there’s no path forward. It’s a shame because I have a deep affinity for the game and the character. The reality is, I can pen the script, but that doesn’t guarantee someone will step up to buy it,”

Kolstad lamented during a recent conversation with The Direct. Originally announced in 2017, the series was meant to be a new take on the stealth-action franchise that debuted in 2000, focusing on a genetically engineered elite assassin known as Agent 47.

This marks another setback for the property’s transition to live-action. Agent 47 has been brought to the silver screen twice before, in 2007 and 2015, with Timothy Olyphant and Rupert Friend taking on the titular role. However, both films were widely panned by critics and failed to make a significant impact at the box office.

Hulu’s decision follows the recent cancellation of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot. That high-profile project reportedly had original star Sarah Michelle Gellar and Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao (Nomadland) linked to its development.