Warner Bros. has debuted the first poster for the upcoming musicalIn the Heights, their film adaptation ofLin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-award winning Broadway musical fromCrazy Rich AsiansdirectorJon Chu. And you better believe it’s teeing up a vibrant film adaptation.
Of couse, we all know Lin-Manuel Miranda by now – the Tony, Grammy, Emmy and freakingPulitzer Prize-winning creator of the musical sensationHamilton, who also penned music for Disney’sMoanaand their upcomingThe Little Mermaidremake, as well as starring inMary Poppins Returnsand HBO’s ongoingHis Dark Materialsseries.In the Heightswas Miranda’s breakout musical, an ebullient and culturally rich story of immigrant life in America that introduced Miranda’s voice and vision as a force to reckoned with.
Set in a largely Dominican neighborhood of Manhattan’s Washington Heights, the musical follows narrator Unsavi as he struggles with the idea of shutting down his bodega shop and returning to his roots in the Dominican Republic.
We caught a glimpse at the first footage while atCCXPlast weekend, and it looks like Chu was a spectacular choice to direct. While he’s best known forCrazy Rich Asiansand theNow You See Mefilms, Chu has a rich history with merging cinema, music and dance, making his feature directorial with the delightfulStep Up 2: The Streetsand helming a pair of Justin Bieber docs, as well as the dance seriesThe LXD. His eye for colorful, kinetic set-pieces and staging musical numbers on-screen looks to be on full display inIn the Heights.
The film arrives in theaters in Summer 2020 and starsAnthony Ramosas Usnavi de la Vega,Leslie Graceas Nina Rosario,Corey Hawkinsas Benny,Melissa Barreraas Vanessa,Jimmy Smitsas Kevin Rosario,Olga Meredizas Abuela Claudia,Gregory Diazas Sonny de la Vega,Daphne Rubin-Vegaas Daniela,Stephanie Beatrizas Carla,Noah Catalaas Graffiti Pete,Dascha Polancoas Cuca, Marc Anthony as Sonny’s father, and Miranda himself (who originated the role of Unsavi) as Piragüero. Check out the poster debut below.
