The highly anticipated Hitman TV series, which was in development at Hulu for several years, has officially been declared "dead in the water." Derek Kolstad, attached to write the pilot and executive produce the adaptation, confirmed the project's cancellation, expressing his disappointment given his affection for the game and character.

First announced in November 2017 by Hulu and Fox 21 Television Studios, the Hitman series was initially envisioned as a potential flagship action property for the streaming service. However, despite the property's inherent cinematic appeal—featuring a cold, precise assassin, global intrigue, disguises, and elaborate kills—the adaptation never moved forward beyond its development stages.

The Hitman game franchise, developed by IO Interactive, debuted in 2000 and has since become one of gaming's most iconic action series. It centers on Agent 47, a genetically engineered assassin known for high-level espionage, creative missions, and the ability to use various disguises, offering immense replayability and making it a fan favorite.

This cancellation is particularly frustrating for fans, as previous attempts to bring Hitman to the screen have largely failed to resonate. The 2007 film, starring Timothy Olyphant, received a dismal 16% on Rotten Tomatoes, while its 2015 successor, Hitman: Agent 47, featuring Rupert Friend, fared even worse with just 8%. The consistent failure to produce a broadly embraced adaptation has left fans eager for a definitive screen version, a hope that the Hulu series' demise now extinguishes.