Disney+ is officially revisiting the beloved world of Holes, with a TV series adaptation now in development. As reported by Variety, the streaming giant has picked up a pilot for the series based on Louis Sachar’s iconic 1998 book, which inspired the popular 2003 movie. The announcement, reported exclusively by Variety, promises a fresh take on the award-winning novel.
The upcoming series will reimagine Holes with a contemporary twist. According to the official logline, the story follows a teenage girl sent to a detention camp where the ruthless Warden forces campers to dig holes for a mysterious purpose. While this is a departure from the original focus on Stanley Yelnats, it maintains the novel’s themes of resilience and uncovering buried truths.
An Acclaimed Team Behind the Scenes
Alina Mankin (Lodge 49, Anne with an E) is set to write and executive produce the pilot, with Liz Phang (Yellowjackets, Locke & Key) serving as showrunner and executive producer. Industry heavyweights Drew Goddard (The Martian, Daredevil) and Sarah Esberg will also executive produce under the Goddard Textiles banner. Walden Media, the company behind the original movie, is partnering on the pilot, alongside rights holder Shamrock.
Drew Goddard expressed his enthusiasm for the project, sharing a personal connection: “My mom, a longtime schoolteacher, first recommended Holes to me in the late ’90s. It feels great to bring it full circle for her and her sixth-grade class.”
Fans of the film can check it out now, streaming on Disney+.
Legacy of Holes
Sachar’s novel has been a literary mainstay since its release, earning the National Book Award and Newbery Medal. It has sold millions of copies and inspired spin-offs, including Stanley Yelnats’ Survival Guide to Camp Green Lake and Small Steps, which follows Theodore “Armpit” Johnson from the original story.
The 2003 film, featuring Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, and Patricia Arquette, grossed $71 million worldwide and is fondly remembered for its faithful adaptation. With the series, Disney+ aims to capture the spirit of the original while introducing new audiences to the gripping tale of Camp Green Lake.
What’s Next?
Production details and casting announcements are still under wraps, but fans of the book and film can look forward to a fresh exploration of Holes. As Drew Goddard teased, “To say much more about what they have in store would spoil all the fun.”
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project as it develops.