AceShowbiz - It is disappointing news for fans of the Hitman franchise as the highly anticipated television adaptation has officially been cancelled. The project, which has been in development intermittently since the early 2000s, will no longer move forward, leaving fans without the game-to-screen adaptation many hoped for.

The director involved with the TV adaptation, Derek Kolstad, who was set to act as both producer and writer, recently spoke openly about the status of the series. Speaking to The Direct, Kolstad described the fate of the Hulu project bluntly, stating that it is "dead in the water." The series was meant to bring the popular stealth video game to life, with initial announcements dating back to November 2017. Hulu partnered with Fox 21 Television Studios—now known as Touchstone Television under Disney's ownership—to produce the show.

Kolstad, known for his work on the John Wick franchise, was expected to write the pilot episode. However, that script never progressed into production or saw the light of day. Despite his enthusiasm for the source material, Kolstad revealed the main obstacle: while he can create the screenplay, securing investment and backing to produce the series has proven impossible.

Hitman fans have faced multiple disappointments with screen adaptations over the years. The franchise previously saw two major film attempts that failed to capture critical acclaim. The first film, released in 2007 and starring Timothy Olyphant, received a disappointing 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a score many consider unfair. The second film, Hitman: Agent 47 (2015), aimed to explore the character’s origin but was even less well-received, earning an 8% critic score.

These failed adaptations have contributed to the skepticism and challenges surrounding any new attempts to bring Hitman to television or film. Despite the setbacks, the franchise itself continues to thrive in the gaming world, with a third Hitman game planned for future release. Unfortunately, it appears the video game narrative will remain confined to its interactive format for the foreseeable future, without the series or film adaptation that many hoped would do justice to the IP’s rich storytelling.

Kolstad expressed his personal connection to the project, emphasizing his passion for both the game and its protagonist. However, he acknowledged the harsh reality of the entertainment industry where scripts alone do not guarantee production, and projects often stall indefinitely. His comments reflect broader issues that many video game adaptations face, a category that has seen numerous cancellations and early shutdowns in recent years.

For fans eager to discuss the cancellation and share their opinions, forums such as ComicBook’s community board remain active places to engage with other enthusiasts. The cancellation of the Hitman TV series adds to a growing list of highly anticipated projects that have struggled to successfully transition from gaming to screen.

While the series will not be moving forward, the legacy of the Hitman franchise endures through its video game releases and the hope that one day a faithful and successful adaptation might still be realized. Until then, fans will have to rely on the games themselves to experience the story of Agent 47.