Hulu Scraps Plans to Develop John Grisham Shared Universe With ‘Rogue Lawyer’ and ‘Rainmaker’
Hulu is no longer moving forward with its plans of developing its own shared TV universe based on John Grisham’s novels, an individual with knowledge of the project tells TheWrap.
The first two series were going to be adaptations of “Rogue Lawyer” and “The Rainmaker.” Both were being overseen by Michael Seitzman and Jason Richman. Hulu was working with ABC Signature on the project, with Grisham set to executive produce.
Dubbed “The Grisham Universe,” the two series were designed so that they would stand on their own, but would share characters and have plotlines intersect with each other. Viewers could watch each season independently or bounce from the first episode of “Rainmaker” to the first episode of “Rogue Lawyer,” then back to “Rainmaker,” etc.
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Published in 2015, “Rogue Lawyer” follows the unconventional street lawyer Sebastian Rudd, known for taking on the cases no one else will touch, as he’s contacted by a serial kidnapper who knows the whereabouts of the assistant chief of police’s missing daughter.
“The Rainmaker,” first published in 1995, centers on a young man barely out of law school who finds himself taking on one of the most powerful, corrupt and ruthless companies in America — and exposing a complex, multibillion-dollar insurance scam. It was previously adapted into a 1997 film starring Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, Danny Glover, Claire Danes and Jon Voight.
The decision comes as Hulu earlier this week announced plans to expand upon the dystopian world of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” by re-teaming with MGM to develop “Handmaid’s” author Margret Atwood’s forthcoming sequel, “The Testaments.” Due out on Sept. 10, it picks up more than 15 years after the events of Atwood’s original novel.
The Hollywood Reporter was first to report that Hulu was scrapping the plans.
Read original story Hulu Scraps Plans to Develop John Grisham Shared Universe With ‘Rogue Lawyer’ and ‘Rainmaker’ At TheWrap
