Since Serial‘s first episode, it’s just been a matter of time before someone snatched up the rights and turned it into a movie or TV show. Now we’re at the point where studios are ready to duke it out for Serial supremacy and we’re left to wonder who could handle the real-life murder of a teenage girl? Possibly with the necessary sensitivity exhibited by someone like the guy behind American Horror Story.
We may find out soon, because according to the Tracking Board, the battle appears to between Ryan Murphy with HBO and Warner Brothers:
Murphy has recently risen as a frontrunner in the current mini-series phenomenon, being the man behind both American Horror Story and the new American Crime Story. This adaptation would match with both Murphy and HBO’s sensibilities, as it’s uniquely similar to both American Crime Story and True Detective. HBO typically nabs high-profile true stories for its successful mini-series, so Serial’s popularity and format should prove a perfect fit for the network.
Warner Bros. has also been actively seeking the property, with intentions to adapt for a feature. The studio used to have a first-look deal with This American Life, which Serial is a spin-off of.
Whatever thoughts, feelings or concerns one might have about a Ryan Murphy-led Serial (Lea Michele as Sarah Koenig singing Taylor Swift’s “Innocent” to a very dreamy Adnan Syed from behind prison glass immediately springs to mind. Also, Matt Bomer as Mailkimp), Variety says it may not be an issue just yet.
So apparently "Serial" rights are not going to HBO/Ryan Murphy, at least not right now. "Just a rumor."
— Pat Saperstein (@Variety_PatS) January 17, 2015
We’ll see how this all shakes out. I just want to know if we’ll hear from the real star of Serial: the shrimp sale at the Crab Crib.
Source: Tracking Board