GAMING NEWS
Published 18 March 2026
Hitman TV series officially canceled
Image credit: peakpx.com
Some disappointing news for
Agent 47
fans, but also for those who were hoping that the creative minds behind the John Wick franchise would finally break the curse of poor film adaptations of this legendary game.
Although the Hitman TV series was announced back in 2017 with great fanfare, it seems that the cold-blooded killer with a barcode on the back of his head has found a target he can’t eliminate - the harsh reality of production downtime. Yes, the aforementioned series has, unfortunately, been canceled.
Admitting defeat at SXSW festival
The information about the project’s cancellation came directly from Derek Kolstad, executive producer and screenwriter and creator of John Wick. During the premiere of the film Normal at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, Kolstad bluntly stated that the series was “dead”. For the project, which was jointly developed by Hulu and Fox 21, this is the final nail in the coffin after years of silence and anticipation.
Kolstad did not hide his personal disappointment, describing the cancellation as a “stab in the heart”. His passion for the Hitman franchise and the character of Agent 47 was a key reason why fans believed in this project. Unfortunately, despite his love for the source material and willingness to write a top-notch script, the obstacle proved insurmountable in today’s entertainment industry where the mere existence of a script is not enough to set the production machinery in motion.
The problem of the market and the lack of production momentum
According to Kolstad, the key problem lies in the current state of the market. Although he, as an author, can deliver a script, nowadays no one buys the “papers” themselves - what is needed are producers and studios willing to invest huge capital in the actual realization of a film or series. Unfortunately, with the adaptation of Hitman, nothing has moved from the deadlock for years, and the interest of streaming platforms has clearly subsided.
Let’s recall that Agent 47 already has a history of not very successful attempts to break into Hollywood, and collaboration with an author of Derek Kolstad’s caliber should have been a turning point. His style, which combines brutal action with minimalistic dialogue, seemed like a perfect match for Hitman, but it seems that fans will have to stick with IO Interactive games if they want a quality experience with this character.
Agent 47 remains in the digital world
The cancellation of the series is another reminder of how difficult it is to successfully transition complex gaming icons into a television series format, even when they are backed by proven hitmakers. While projects like The Last of Us or the Fallout TV series are flourishing, Hitman will have to wait for a better opportunity.
Although the Hitman TV series was announced back in 2017 with great fanfare, it seems that the cold-blooded killer with a barcode on the back of his head has found a target he can’t eliminate - the harsh reality of production downtime. Yes, the aforementioned series has, unfortunately, been canceled.
Admitting defeat at SXSW festival
The information about the project’s cancellation came directly from Derek Kolstad, executive producer and screenwriter and creator of John Wick. During the premiere of the film Normal at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, Kolstad bluntly stated that the series was “dead”. For the project, which was jointly developed by Hulu and Fox 21, this is the final nail in the coffin after years of silence and anticipation.
Kolstad did not hide his personal disappointment, describing the cancellation as a “stab in the heart”. His passion for the Hitman franchise and the character of Agent 47 was a key reason why fans believed in this project. Unfortunately, despite his love for the source material and willingness to write a top-notch script, the obstacle proved insurmountable in today’s entertainment industry where the mere existence of a script is not enough to set the production machinery in motion.
The problem of the market and the lack of production momentum
According to Kolstad, the key problem lies in the current state of the market. Although he, as an author, can deliver a script, nowadays no one buys the “papers” themselves - what is needed are producers and studios willing to invest huge capital in the actual realization of a film or series. Unfortunately, with the adaptation of Hitman, nothing has moved from the deadlock for years, and the interest of streaming platforms has clearly subsided.
Let’s recall that Agent 47 already has a history of not very successful attempts to break into Hollywood, and collaboration with an author of Derek Kolstad’s caliber should have been a turning point. His style, which combines brutal action with minimalistic dialogue, seemed like a perfect match for Hitman, but it seems that fans will have to stick with IO Interactive games if they want a quality experience with this character.
Agent 47 remains in the digital world
The cancellation of the series is another reminder of how difficult it is to successfully transition complex gaming icons into a television series format, even when they are backed by proven hitmakers. While projects like The Last of Us or the Fallout TV series are flourishing, Hitman will have to wait for a better opportunity.