Paul Giamatti to Star in Hostel TV Series from Eli Roth

A new television series based off the 2005 horror film Hostel is in development, with Paul Giamatti attached to star.

The Oscar-nominated actor was announced alongside confirmation that the original movie’s writer and director, Eli Roth, will also be involved. Roth will be teaming up with collaborators Chris Briggs and Mike Fleiss, along with production company and distributor Fifth Season, responsible for Apple TV’s Severance.

While character details are still under wraps, Giamatti is reported to have a “key role” in the vision for the series, which would mark his return to television following the conclusion of HBO’s Billions. There’s no word yet in regards to how many similarities the series would share with the original horror film, which centered on pleasure-seeking backpackers in Europe being snatched one by one by a twisted kidnapping organization.

Reportedly, the television show would offer an “elevated thriller” take on the story that’s more of a “reinvention” of the film trilogy than a remake. The series is not attached to a platform.

Giamatti is fresh off the awards circuit for his role in Alexander Payne’s film The Holdovers, which yielded the actor an Oscar nomination and was included as one of our favorite movies of 2023.

Roth has also been keeping busy — he’s currently gearing up for the release of Borderlands, which stars Jack Black and Cate Blanchett and will land in theaters this August.