Disney Ditches Gender-Swapped ‘Holes’ Reboot for Disney Plus
Disney has canceled its planned gender-swapped reboot pilot for the 2003 film Holes, deciding not to move forward with the series at Disney+ after initial development. The project aimed to reimagine Louis Sachar’s story with a female protagonist but ultimately fell short of the studio’s expectations. This move highlights ongoing challenges with gender-flipped adaptations in Hollywood.
Here’s the TL;DR...
Disney+ scrapped a pilot for a gender-swapped Holes reboot featuring Shay Rudolph as the lead.
The original 2003 Holes movie, based on Sachar’s 1998 novel, starred Shia LaBeouf and earned strong box office returns.
Cast for the reboot included Greg Kinnear as the Warden and Aidy Bryant in supporting roles.
Gender-swapped reboots like Ghostbusters (2016) and What Men Want (2019) have often faced criticism and mixed results.
No official reason was given for the cancellation, though high standards for the project played a role.
What Prompted Disney to Cancel the ‘Holes’ Reboot Pilot?
Disney+ ordered the pilot in January 2025, reworking the story around a teenage girl named Hayley, played by Shay Rudolph from The Baby-Sitters Club. Greg Kinnear took on the role of the ruthless Warden, with a cast that also featured Aidy Bryant, Flor Delis Alicea, and others. Despite assembling a writers’ room and securing tax credits, the studio chose not to proceed.
The plot followed Hayley as she landed in a detention camp, digging holes under mysterious orders from the Warden. Sources indicate the bar was set high for this reboot, given the original’s lasting popularity.
How Did the Original ‘Holes’ Become a Beloved Disney Classic?
The 2003 film Holes, directed by Andrew Davis, adapted Sachar’s National Book Award-winning novel into a hit that grossed over $67 million domestically on a $20 million budget. Shia LaBeouf starred as Stanley Yelnats, a wrongfully convicted teen sent to Camp Green Lake, where digging holes uncovered family secrets and hidden treasures. Sigourney Weaver and Jon Voight rounded out the cast, earning the movie praise for its mix of adventure, mystery, and social commentary.
Critics lauded its faithful adaptation and strong performances, with a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The story’s themes of justice and redemption resonated with audiences, turning it into a staple for young viewers.
Why Have Gender-Swapped Reboots Often Underperformed?
Hollywood’s push for gender-flipped remakes has produced uneven results, with several projects drawing backlash for perceived forced changes. The 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, directed by Paul Feig and starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, earned $229 million worldwide but faced intense online criticism and a 49% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics gave it 74%, but marketing costs reportedly pushed it into the red.
Similarly, What Men Want (2019), a gender-swapped take on 2000’s What Women Want, featured Taraji P. Henson in the lead role. It made $72 million on a $20 million budget yet scored just 42% from critics, who cited weak scripting and missed opportunities.
What Other Gender-Swapped Projects Have Faced Similar Backlash?
The Hustle (2019), remaking Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson, pulled in $97 million globally but tanked with a 13% Rotten Tomatoes score. Reviewers called it a pale imitation of the original, lacking the charm of the 1988 version.
Overboard (2018), flipping the 1987 Goldie Hawn-Kurt Russell comedy, cast Anna Faris and Eugenio Derbez. It earned $91 million on a modest $12 million budget, but critics panned it at 24%, pointing to outdated humor and uneven pacing.
Even Ocean’s 8 (2018), which grossed $297 million on $70 million, drew mixed reactions despite its all-star cast including Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett. Some praised the heist elements, but others felt it leaned too heavily on the male-led predecessors without fresh ideas, holding a 69% critic score.
These examples show a pattern where gender swaps aim to refresh old properties but often struggle with audience reception and critical acclaim.
How Might This Affect Future Disney Projects?
Disney’s decision on Holes comes amid broader scrutiny of reboots and remakes. The studio has seen successes with live-action adaptations like The Lion King (2019), but gender-flipped efforts elsewhere in the industry have prompted caution. Fan reactions on social media have been largely positive about the cancellation, with many expressing relief over preserving the original’s integrity.
This cancellation underscores the risks of altering established stories without clear innovation. As Hollywood continues to diversify casts and narratives, studios may prioritize original content or subtler updates to avoid alienating core audiences. For now, the original Holes remains untouched, offering a reminder that not every classic needs a redo.
Hat Tips
Deadline, “’Holes’: Gender-Swapped Reboot Pilot Not Going Forward At Disney+”, December 12, 2025
Men’s Journal, “Disney+ Changes Mind, Cancels Reboot of Beloved Movie”, December 12, 2025
IMDb, “Top 10 Worst Gender Swap Remakes”
Rotten Tomatoes for Ghostbusters (2016), What Men Want (2019), The Hustle (2019), Overboard (2018), and Ocean’s 8 (2018) scores and box office data
Box Office Mojo for original Holes (2003) earnings
Article Compiled and Edited by Ivy Adams for Pirates & Princesses.