The shocking shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Hilton Hotel in New York has captivated public attention, with many already speculating about its potential as a television adaptation. The murder, followed by a dramatic week-long police manhunt, culminated in the arrest of suspect Luigi Mangione in Pennsylvania, thanks to an alert McDonald’s employee.
Public fascination with the case quickly skyrocketed, fueled by bizarre and cinematic elements: bullets inscribed with cryptic messages, a backpack filled with Monopoly money, and Mangione himself becoming a viral sensation. The case’s surreal details and suspenseful resolution have prompted comparisons to a movie script, drawing particular attention from fans of true crime dramas.
In fact, Hollywood producer Adrian Askarieh, known for films like Hitman, noted the case’s striking resemblance to a fictional thriller. In a Vanity Fair interview, he remarked that footage of the incident felt like “real life imitating art,” adding to the speculation that this tragic story might eventually find its way to the small screen.
As of now, no formal plans for a TV series based on the Mangione case have been announced. Still, the story has sparked widespread predictions online, with fans envisioning producers like Ryan Murphy helming a potential adaptation. Murphy, renowned for series like American Crime Story and Monsters, has a track record of turning real-life cases into gripping drama. Social media chatter has even theorized that Murphy could already be developing scripts for a dramatized version of the Mangione case.
Adding fuel to the speculation, fans on X (formerly Twitter) have floated actor Dave Franco as a potential lead, noting his uncanny resemblance to Mangione. Jokes about Franco stepping into the role have trended online, with some users imagining Murphy drafting scripts and reaching out to Franco for the part.
Although fan theories about a TV series remain just that—speculation—a documentary or limited series exploring the case may be more likely in the near future. With its vivid details and media frenzy, the Mangione case is ripe for exploration in true crime formats. Whether or not it becomes a Hollywood production, the story’s larger-than-life elements ensure it will remain in the public eye for some time to come.
