Hulu Begins Casting Less Than Zero Adaptation... But How Queer Is It?

The works of Bret Easton Ellis have transcended decades to become a generational staple. So, it should come as no surprise that his debut novel, Less Than Zero is getting an adaptation for a new generation.

A series based on the book is in development for Hulu. It rehashes the story of Clay Easton as he returns home to LA for winter break from his east coast school. But leaving for college has estranged him from his high school girlfriend, Blair and his troubled best friend, Julian. The book was also adapted into a 1987 film, starring Robert Downey Jr, Jami Gertz, and Andrew McCarthy.

The Hulu adaptation has officially filled McCarthy's shoes to find their new Clay. According to Variety, Austin Abrams has been cast in the leading role. His previous credits include The Walking Dead, Paper Towns, and Shameless.

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Although we're always game for a Bret Easton Ellis adaptation, we can't help but wonder how true to the book this version will be. The original film lacked the unapologetic queer undertones of the book, save for a brief blowjob scene with Downey Jr's Julian.

"I do think that there's such an engrained element of (sexuality) in my work, that it's very hard to erase it," Ellis said in an interview with OUT. "Even in Less Than Zero, it's still there. It still has the Julian character, what he ends up doing. It's a studio movie; they're going to be very muted about it."

But given that Ellis has signed on as executive producer and the show is coming to the same streaming platform that's given us Difficult People and The Handmaid's Tale, perhaps we can anticipate some good old fashioned queer sex.