Bill Hader Developing a Jonestown Massacre Series at HBO

The real life horror story of Jim Jones and the “Jonestown Massacre” is being used as the inspiration for a new TV series at HBO, with Bill Hader (“Barry”) attached to co-write, produce, direct, and potentially even star. The news was first reported by Variety this afternoon.

Bill Hader and Daniel Zelman (“Damages”) are developing the HBO series.

Variety reports, “Hader is co-writing with Zelman, with both serving as co-showrunners and executive producers. Hader would also direct should the project move forward.”

The site reminds, “Jim Jones founded the Peoples Temple in the 1950s and established what became known as Jonestown in the 1970s in the nation of Guyana. Jonestown came to international attention when over 900 members of the Peoples Temple, including Jones, died in a mass murder-suicide at Jones’ direction in 1978.”

Bloody Disgusting’s own Murder Made Fiction dove into Jim Jones and the Jonestown Massacre last October. They explain, “It’s a fascinating case that prompts us to consider how people can begin a cause with altruistic motives and the intent to do good, but eventually, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Jones is a prime example of this.”

“Over time, the horrific mass suicide that occurred in the jungles of Guyana have been reduced to a cultural joke – “Drink the Kool-Aid” – which a) is factually incorrect and b) diminishes the cultural impact this event had,” they continue. “It’s a horrifying story, but one with a long legacy about how cults are perceived and handled, particularly by law enforcement.”

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