Renowned director Jac Schaeffer, known for her exceptional work on WandaVision, has been chosen to helm the pilot episode of the exciting new Disney+ series Holes. This adaptation is based on the acclaimed best-selling novel by Louis Sachar, which has captivated readers for years. The series will follow a teenage girl who finds herself at a detention camp, where the menacing Warden compels the campers to dig holes for an enigmatic purpose that unfolds throughout the story. This project promises to bring a fresh perspective to the beloved tale, combining elements of adventure and intrigue.
According to a report from Variety, Jac Schaeffer has been enlisted to direct the pilot episode of Holes, a series that is poised to capture the essence of the beloved book by Louis Sachar. The narrative centers on a teenage girl sent to a harsh detention camp where the unforgiving Warden forces all campers to dig holes, each with a secretive purpose that gradually reveals itself. This new adaptation aims to explore themes of resilience and the power of friendship, while maintaining the intriguing plot twists that made the original novel so popular among young readers and adults alike.
The original Holes novel intricately weaves the tale of Stanley Yelnats, an unfortunate boy wrongfully accused of a crime, who ends up in a juvenile detention camp known as Camp Green Lake. Here, Stanley is condemned to spend his days digging holes in a desolate lake bed. As the plot thickens, he unravels the mysterious connections between his family’s history and the camp itself, leading to a profound understanding of fate and destiny. The book’s earlier film adaptation in 2003 featured a star-studded cast including Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, and Jon Voight, making it a memorable cinematic experience.
Jac Schaeffer is an accomplished director, having previously directed the sci-fi romantic comedy TiMER in 2009, which starred Emma Caulfield. She has also contributed to the Marvel universe with three episodes of Agatha All Along. Joining her on this project, Alina Mankin, known for her work on Lodge 49, will serve as both writer and executive producer. Liz Phang, acclaimed for her role in Yellowjackets, is set to take on the responsibilities of showrunner and executive producer, ensuring the series maintains a high standard of storytelling and production quality.
In an exciting announcement, Drew Goddard will serve as the executive producer for the Holes series through his production company, Goddard Textiles, alongside collaborator Sarah Esberg. Goddard shared the personal connection he has with the story, stating, ?My mom?s been a schoolteacher for her whole life and, as such, she?s served as a de facto book scout for Goddard Textiles. She has a knack for knowing what resonates with kids long before it becomes mainstream. ?Holes? was the first book she recommended to me back in the late ?90s, and she was confident it would become a significant cultural phenomenon. It feels fulfilling to bring this story full circle for Mrs. Goddard and her sixth-grade class.? He also praised Mankin and Phang for effectively capturing the unique spirit of Louis Sachar?s work, hinting at exciting developments in the series without revealing too much to preserve the element of surprise.
