AceShowbiz - Nearly ten years after its initial announcement, Hulu’s long-anticipated adaptation of the Hitman video game series has been confirmed as canceled. Despite ongoing interest in the project, Hitman’s transition to the small screen never fully materialized and now appears definitively dead.

In an interview with The Direct, Derek Kolstad, who was attached to write the pilot and executive produce the series, described the project as “dead in the water.” Kolstad expressed his passion for the game and character, but lamented the challenges of getting a screenplay turned into an actual series or movie. “I love that thing, because I love that game and I love that character. But the problem is, I can write a screenplay, but no one’s going to go out and buy the screenplay. You’ve got to make the movie, you’ve got to make the show. But nothing’s happening with that man, sadly,” he said.

The news marks a definitive update on a series that has lingered in development limbo since November 2017. At that time, Hulu and Fox 21 Television Studios announced plans to adapt the popular video game franchise, with Kolstad attached to spearhead the project. The adaptation was pitched as a potential flagship action series for Hulu, but no further progress or release dates followed.

The Hitman franchise, developed by IO Interactive, debuted in 2000 and quickly became one of gaming’s most recognizable action series. Its central character, Agent 47, is a genetically enhanced assassin known for his cold precision and globe-trotting missions. The gameplay’s focus on disguises and elaborate kills has made the franchise a fan favorite, with a cinematic quality that many believed could translate well to film or television.

Unfortunately, Hitman has struggled to find success in screen adaptations. The 2007 movie, starring Timothy Olyphant, holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 16%, while the 2015 film Hitman: Agent 47, featuring Rupert Friend, fares even worse with an 8% rating. These underwhelming receptions have only heightened fans’ desire for a faithful and well-executed adaptation, a goal that now remains unfulfilled.

Despite the strong source material and cinematic potential, the Hulu series adaptation missed its chance to capitalize on the franchise’s momentum. The project’s cancellation leaves fans without a new official screen version of the iconic assassin’s story, a disappointment echoed by those who have long awaited a definitive Hitman adaptation.

As it stands, the Hitman series on Hulu will not be moving forward, and no alternative adaptations have been announced. The legacy of Agent 47’s story remains confined to the gaming world and two critically panned films, with hopes for a successful and faithful screen version once again put on hold.