John Wick creator says the Hitman TV show is "dead in the water": "It's a little bit of a dagger in the chest"

John Wick creator Derek Kolstad has provided an update on the Hitman TV show – and it seems the video game adaptation was an unknowing mark.

"It's a little bit of a dagger in the chest," Kolstad told The Direct when the publication asked for an update on the adaptation. "Who knows nowadays, but it's dead in the water. But, man, I love that thing, because I love that game and I love that character. But the problem is, I can write a screenplay, but no one's going to go out and buy the screenplay. You've got to make the movie, you've got to make the show. But nothing's happening with that man, sadly."

The live-action TV adaptation was first announced in 2017, with Kolstad set to write the pilot for Hulu, but updates have been few and far between since until this confirmation of its cancellation.

The franchise follows Agent 47, a globetrotting contract killer. The first game, Hitman: Codename 47, was published in 2000 and seven sequels followed, along with several spin-offs.

Two movie adaptations have been released – the first in 2007, starring Timothy Olyphant as Agent 47, and a reboot in 2015, with the titular character played by Rupert Friend. Combined, the two movies hold a Rotten Tomatoes score of 24%.

Kolstad most recently wrote the screenplay for Normal, a new action movie starring Bob Odenkirk as the new sheriff in a sleepy Minnesota town who quickly discovers he may have bitten off more than he can chew.

Normal arrives in theaters on April 17. In the meantime, get up to speed with the other best upcoming movies on the way in 2026.