The “Hostel” TV series has found a home at Peacock.
Variety has learned exclusively that the TV extension of the horror film franchise is currently in development at the NBCUniversal streamer. The show was previously reported to be in the works in June 2024, but no platform was attached at that time.
As originally reported, Paul Giamatti is attached to star in the series, with “Hostel” mastermind Eli Roth set to write, direct, and executive produce. Chris Briggs and Mike Fleiss, who have produced all the “Hostel” films, are also executive producers. Fifth Season is the studio. Exact plot details are being kept under wraps.
In the “Hostel” franchise, innocent tourists are kidnapped by a mysterious group known as the Elite Hunting Club operating out of Eastern Europe, with the group’s rich clientele paying to torture and murder the tourists. The first film was released in theaters in 2006, with Roth writing, directing, and producing. Roth also wrote, directed, and produced “Hostel: Part II” in 2007. A third film was released direct to video in 2011, though Roth was not involved in the production.
Collectively, the first two films in the franchise grossed nearly $120 million globally despite costing just $4.8 million and $10.2 million respectively to produce.
Giamatti is one of the finest actors of his generation. He is a two-time Oscar nominee — first for “Cinderella Man” and then for “The Holdovers.” He is also a six-time Golden Globe nominee, winning the award for his work in the HBO series “John Adams” as well as for the films “Barney’s Vision” and “The Holdovers.” Giamatti had previously told Variety‘s Marc Malkin that he was interested in pursuing more horror roles, naming “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” as his favorite film in the genre.
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