Vivienne Medrano shares her thoughts on a potential live-action version of Hazbin Hotel. The would-be animated series got its start as a YouTube phenomenon, amassing millions of views off of a pilot that Medrano released under the Vivziepop channel. Eventually, the series got picked up by Prime Video as a fuller-length animated series.

That series was released to the streaming platform in January 2024. At that time, Hazbin Hotel season 2 was already confirmed, which is now currently airing on the platform. At the time of writing, the show is confirmed for at least two additional seasons after this.

Speaking with Comicbook, Medrano shares her thoughts on the possibility of a live-action version of Hazbin Hotel. The creator started off by noting that “as a series [it] only works in animation.” Medrano is generally not a huge fan of forced live-action.

This would not prohibit a live-action Hazbin Hotel from happening entirely, however. The creator revealed that she would like to see “a stage adaptation” of the musical series. Check out the full quote from Medrano below:

“I think for sure that Hazbin Hotel as a series only works in animation. I’m not the biggest fan of taking something into live-action unless there’s a reason to. What I could see and what I would love to see is a stage adaptation. I think a stage musical set in this universe or about these characters would be the coolest thing, especially since it could be its own thing. A play could humanize these characters in ways that make sense visually, but also just have the element of musical theater, since that’s what the show is. There’s a degree of separation where you allow yourself to step into a fantasy when you’re watching a musical. I think that’s something that would translate pretty well.”

Medrano recognizes that “the element of musical theater” is already inherent to the DNA of Hazbin Hotel. After all, a huge part of its originality comes not only from its unique Hell-alternative plot, but its structure around musical numbers. The original songs have already been created for the show, and would translate well into a live musical theater landscape.

The creator’s quote also relates to the idea of suspension of disbelief when it comes to theatrical productions. The musical, Medrano notes, is a form that requires “you to allow yourself to step into a fantasy.” Even if the stage version would not visually look identical to what series fans are used to, this fantasy could translate well as audiences tried to suspend their disbelief.

If it did hit the stage, Hazbin Hotel certainly would not be the first property that began as an animated TV show or movie and later hit the stage. Disney’s hit movie musical Frozen has already been made into a successful stage show. Medrano’s work could be the next piece adapted like so.

Whether Hazbin Hotel finds a second life on the stage will largely depend on how well season 2 and the subsequent installments do on their platform. The viewership contingent who loves this show really loves this show. Whether that would be enough to fuel some additional adaptation remains to be seen as Hazbin Hotel season 2 continues on strong.

Hazbin Hotel

7/10

Release Date

January 19, 2024

Directors

Vivienne Medrano

Writers

Dave Capdevielle, Kendraw Cook, Raymond T. Hernandez, Vivienne Medrano, Daniel MacDonald, Maritza Medrano