- Disney has ordered a pilot for a reboot of Louis Sachar’s 1990s novel “Holes.”
- The series will have a female lead
- It will be the second adaptation of Sachar’s novel, after the 2003 feature film
If you think back to high school English class, you might remember being introduced to Louis Sachar’s 1998 young adult mystery novel “Holes.” Thanks to Disney Plus, the platform has now ordered a pilot, which means a TV reboot of Sachar’s novel could arrive on one of the top streaming services – but this time with a little twist.
The Holes The TV series marks Disney’s second reinterpretation of Sachar’s book, which was initially adapted into a 2003 feature film starring Shia LaBoeuf, Sigourney Weaver, Patricia Arquette and Eartha Kitt, with a screenplay by Sachar himself. It follows main character Stanley Yelnats, who is sent to a penitentiary after being falsely accused of theft. While serving his sentence, the story unfolds, revealing how each of the characters impacted Stanley’s life through intertwined stories, all while heeding the requests of a guard who kept them for an unknown reason dig holes.
From what we know so far, the TV reboot will follow the story of Sachar’s novel but introduce a female lead who we can guess will take on the role of the original protagonist. According to a report from VarietyThe project’s logline reads: “In this reinterpretation of Louis Sachar’s beloved 1998 book, a teenage girl is sent to a detention camp where the ruthless warden forces the campers to dig holes for a mysterious purpose.” Disney has not yet revealed which actress will play the role.
Besides the mystery actress in question, Sachar’s name is also missing from the show’s discourse, meaning we don’t know if he will contribute to the show’s production. However, Disney has acquired an army of production giants to fit all parts of the series Holes series in place, starting with writer Anna Mankin (Katy Keene, Lodge 49) who will serve as Showrunner and Executive Producer Yellowjackets writer Liz Phang. Drew Goddard (Cabin in the woods, the right place) of Goddard Textiles is another executive producer joining the Holes team, while Walden Media (which produced the 2003 film) will return to produce the series, and 20th Television will serve as the studio.
With the announcement of the Disney Plus reboot, Holes joins the long line of new TV shows we’re excited to see hit the platform. But despite not having a release date to look forward to, this is one that will definitely be in the back of my mind until then, and if it can bring Sachar’s book to life in the same way it Percy Jackson and the Olympians did for Riordan, then it could be one of the best Disney Plus shows.