Disney+ has officially commissioned a pilot for a television adaptation of "Holes", Variety has exclusively reported.

This prospective series will be inspired by Louis Sachar's acclaimed novel, which was previously turned into a Disney feature film in 2003.

Alina Mankin is attached as the writer and executive producer, while Liz Phang will take on the role of showrunner and executive producer. 

The project also brings in Drew Goddard as an executive producer under his banner, Goddard Textiles, alongside Sarah Esberg. Walden Media, which originally backed the film adaptation, is on board to produce the pilot, having long sought to develop a series version of the story. 

The official synopsis for the upcoming series describes it as "a fresh take on Louis Sachar's beloved 1998 novel, centring on a teenage girl who finds herself at a detention camp. Under the rule of a relentless Warden, she and the other campers are forced to dig holes in the scorching desert—though the true reason behind their labour remains a mystery."

The original novel follows the journey of Stanley Yelnats, a boy plagued by misfortune and is wrongfully sentenced to a juvenile detention camp. At Camp Green Lake, he is subjected to a gruelling daily routine of digging holes in the barren lakebed. However, as Stanley's time at the camp progresses, he begins to unravel a deeper connection between his own past, his family's history, and the enigmatic secrets buried beneath the dry earth.

First published in 1998, "Holes" quickly gained critical acclaim, earning both the National Book Award and the prestigious Newbery Medal. Over the years, the novel has sold millions of copies worldwide. 

Louis Sachar, the mastermind behind the book, has an extensive catalogue of works, including the much-loved "Wayside School" series and the "Marvin Redpost" books. Ahead of the film adaptation's release, he penned Stanley Yelnats' "Survival Guide to Camp Green Lake", offering readers an immersive look into the world of Holes. He later expanded the story with "Small Steps", a companion novel that follows the character Theodore "Armpit" Johnson on his post-camp journey.

In an interview with Variety, Drew Goddard reflected on his long-standing connection to the novel. "My mom has been a schoolteacher for as long as I can remember, and she's always had a knack for spotting books that resonate with kids before they become cultural touchstones," he shared. 

"Back in the late '90s, 'Holes' was the first book she recommended to me—she was absolutely certain it would be a sensation. Now, bringing this project to life feels like the perfect way to honour Mrs Goddard and her sixth-grade class."

The 2003 cinematic adaptation of "Holes" featured Shia LaBeouf in the lead role of Stanley Yelnats, with an ensemble cast that included Sigourney Weaver, Khleo Thomas, Jon Voight, Tim Blake Nelson, Patricia Arquette, Dulé Hill, and Eartha Kitt, among others. 

Louis Sachar himself adapted the screenplay, while Andrew Davis took the director's chair. The film proved to be a commercial hit, raking in approximately $71 million globally against a production budget of $20 million.

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"They've done an incredible job honouring Louis Sachar's distinctive voice," Goddard remarked. "Sharing any more details would only take away from the excitement that awaits."