Key Points
- Disney+ has canceled its planned Holes TV adaptation after previously ordering a pilot.
- The series was set to reimagine Louis Sachar’s award‑winning novel with a gender‑swapped lead.
- Shay Rudolph, Greg Kinnear, and Aidy Bryant had been cast in key roles.
- The creative team included writer Alina Mankin, showrunner Liz Phang, and director Jac Schaeffer.
- The cancellation ends early momentum for a project backed by Walden Media, producer of the 2003 film.
Disney+ Pulls Plug on Holes Adaptation After Early Development
Disney+ has opted not to move forward with its television adaptation of Holes, the beloved Louis Sachar novel that earned both the National Book Award and the Newbery Medal. The decision comes months after the streamer ordered a pilot, generating early buzz among fans of the book and the 2003 film.
The cancellation halts what had been positioned as a fresh, modern take on the classic story.
A Modern Reimagining That Won’t Move Forward
Sachar’s 1998 novel follows Stanley Yelnats, a teenager wrongfully sent to Camp Green Lake, where he uncovers a long‑buried family mystery. The 2003 film adaptation, starring Shia LaBeouf and directed by Andrew Davis, became a critical and commercial success, featuring standout performances from Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette, and Eartha Kitt.
The Disney+ pilot aimed to reinterpret the story through a new lens. Instead of Stanley, the series would have centered on Hayley, a teenage girl at the detention camp, played by Shay Rudolph. Greg Kinnear had been cast as the camp warden, with Aidy Bryant set to portray a counselor. A diverse ensemble of young actresses was attached to play Hayley’s fellow detainees.
A Strong Creative Team Behind the Scenes
The adaptation assembled an impressive creative lineup. Alina Mankin penned the script, Liz Phang served as showrunner, and Jac Schaeffer — known for her work on WandaVision — was attached to direct. Executive producers included Mankin, Phang, and Drew Goddard, with Walden Media returning after producing the original film.
Despite the pedigree, Disney+ ultimately chose not to proceed, leaving the pilot unaired.
Fans Reflect on the Enduring Legacy of Holes
The cancellation has prompted renewed appreciation for the original novel and film, both of which continue to resonate with audiences for their themes of justice, friendship, and personal growth. While this reimagined version will not reach screens, Holes remains a staple of modern children’s literature and a touchstone for generations of readers.
What Happens Next?
Disney+ has not announced plans to revisit the property in another format. For now, the pilot’s cancellation closes the door on this iteration of Holes, though the story’s lasting popularity ensures it will remain part of the cultural conversation — and may inspire future adaptations down the line.
