Wepa! The film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical In the Heights is on its way, and we can barely contain our excitement seeing Usnavi and the whole gang on the big screen! To tide you over until then, we've gathered all the info you need to know about the movie, from the casting to sneak peeks from the show's creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda! Check it all out below!
The film adaptation of the 2008 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, In the Heights, is set to be released in movie theaters on June 26, 2020. It is currently being filmed on location in Washington Heights this summer! Check out Lin-Manuel Miranda's tour through the neighborhood in preparation here!
The movie will also be filled with actual residents of Washington Heights! At an open casting call in the neighborhood, Lin-Manuel Miranda made a special surprise appearance!
Lin and the cast also recently visited a high school production of In the Heights in Washington Heights after a day of rehearsals! Check out all of their reactions to the show here!
Lin also revealed in a post on Twitter that he and the show's original book writer, Quiara A Hudes, were working on new lyrics for the show's Tony-winning score!
When you find yourself working on new lyrics for Champagne for the first time in 12 years... pic.twitter.com/CaMREAuFe7
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) March 22, 2019
In the Heights fans have been introduced to the film's cast members courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda's special Twitter announcements, from Usanvi and Vanessa to new characters Sonny's father and Cuca. Now we've compiled Lin's announcements along with more info on what to expect from this cast of characters!
*taps ?*
We film this summer. Uptown.
And now, I'm thrilled to announce some of the cast of our In The Heights film...@ARamosofficial IS Usnavi@MelissaBarreraM IS Vanessa#CoreyHawkins IS Benny @lesliegrace IS Nina Rosario
Right here In The Heights.
...More soon! pic.twitter.com/xTfzjydC9n - Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) April 11, 2019
Anthony Ramos first worked with In the Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda as part of the original cast of the smash hit musical "Hamilton," originating the roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton. Ramos was also recently seen on screen in A Star Is Born with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. His upcoming film projects include Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Honest Thief, and Trolls World Tour. Anthony also recently performed a karaoke version of 96,000 alongside original cast member Christopher Jackson at this year's Tony Awards! Check out the full video here!
Melissa Barrera is best known for the telenovelas La Mujer de Judas and La Otra Cara Del Alma. She studied at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU where she appeared in musicals such as Sweet Charity.
Corey Hawkins has appeared on both the big and small screen in projects such as The Walking Dead, 24: Legacy, Straight Outta Compton. Hawkins also received a Tony nomination for his work in the recent Broadway revival of Six Degrees of Separation where he played opposite Allison Janney. He has also appeared on stage in Broadway's Romeo and Juliet, as well as on stages for Roundabout Theatre Company and Signature Theatre.
Leslie Grace is a singer and songwriter whose mainstream debut hit "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" gave a new bilingual take on the classic Shirelles song of the same name. She has charted on the Billboard Tropical Songs chart, and the Latin Airplay charts. She also has a distribution deal with Sony Music Latin and Sony/ATV.
*taps ?*
See y'all uptown.
And now I'm thrilled to announce some more #InTheHeightsMovie casting news...@TheOlgaMerediz IS Abuela Claudia!
Gregory Diaz IV IS Sonny!
Jimmy Smits IS Kevin Rosario!
...More soon. pic.twitter.com/hL1l3BiIlz - Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) April 15, 2019
Olga originated the role of Abuela Claudia in In the Heights, for which she received a 2008 Tony Award nomination. She has also appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia, Reckless, Man of La Mancha, Les Misérables, and The Human Comedy. Her film credits include Fugly, Mr. Popper's Penguins, One for the Money, Changing Lanes, and Evita. Her television credits include Shades of Blue and Orange Is The New Black.
Jimmy is known is performances on the TV series L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, and The West Wing. He also appeared on the big screen in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, as well as on the small screen in Dexter and Sons of Anarchy.
Gregory made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning Matilda the Musical in 2016 and went on the show's national tour in 2017. He won a NYMF Performance award for his work as leading role Pedro in the Off-Broadway production of Pedro Pan. He was also nominated for an Outstanding Ensemble award at the NYITA for his work on the Off-Broadway production of Zurich.
*Taps ?*
The hydrants are open.
Bueno, you didn't hear it from me,
But some little birdie told me...@VegaRubin IS Daniela!@iamstephbeatz IS Carla!@SheIsash IS Cuca!
Cool breezes blow. See you uptown. #InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/b8CNZU48Yu - Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) April 16, 2019
Daphne is best known for originating the role of Mimi Marquez in the Jonathan Larson musical Rent. Her other Broadway credits include A Streetcar Named Desire; Les Miserables; Anna in the Tropic, and The Rocky Horror Show. She also appeared Off-Broadway alongside Phillip Seymor Hoffman in Jack Goes Boating, as well as the play's film adaptation.
Stephanie is best known for starring on the hit NBC comedy "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." Beatriz had her first feature film role as Jessica in the 2013 acclaimed independent drama Short Term 12. She also starred as Bonnie in the independent feature film The Light of the Moon, written and directed by Jessica M. Thompson.
Dascha is known for portraying the role of Dayanara "Daya" Diaz on the Netflix series Orange Is The New Black. She had recurring roles in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story and in the Netflix series Russian Doll.
Okay I actually can't hold it in anymore.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 6, 2019
Sonny's father will be played by @MarcAnthony.
It's a brief but pivotal role.
...And I still can't believe it.#InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/WC9M0eiraY
Marc is a two-time Grammy Award and six-time Latin Grammy Award winner who has sold more than 12 million albums worldwide. He is also the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. His acting credits include Man on Fire opposite Denzel Washington and In the Time of Butterflies opposite Selma Hayek.
Meet Noah Catala.
- Lin-Wanuel Wiranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 12, 2019
He's Graffiti Pete in #InTheHeightsMovie and he's KILLING IT. https://t.co/ZdPtgz2Qlk
Noah is making his film debut in the movie adaptation of In the Heights. He has appeared in the Netflix series The Get Down.
(See you on set) pic.twitter.com/ydfNMOzGbI
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 14, 2019
Lin is the creator, composer, and lyricist of In the Heights. He also appeared in the original Broadway cast as Usnavi. He received the 2008 Tony Award for Best Score for his work on In the Heights. He is also the composer, lyricist, and book writer of the Tony-winning musical Hamilton, where he also appeared in the original Broadway cast as Alexander Hamilton. He also co-created the improvisational hip-hop group Freestyle Love Supreme, which is coming to Broadway this fall.
No me diga! Lin-Manuel Miranda has been giving his followers some special sneak peeks at everything that's been going into bringing Washington Heights to the big screen, from rehearsals and read throughs to the action on set. Check out this look behind the scenes!
Nina Rosario, the barrio's best...#InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/yNylbhzm3g
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) May 1, 2019
Damn. @TheOlgaMerediz rolled up to the studio with her original notes on Paciencia y Fe in hand.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) May 8, 2019
We are so lucky.
We are so damn lucky. #InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/YFo9t8Svi5
When You're Home. #InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/r4v4chSUtP
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) May 9, 2019
Well, the "When You're Home" choreography for #intheheightsmovie just made my wife burst into tears and she's the toughest of nuts to crack so what I'm saying is you're all dead
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) May 14, 2019
As if I couldn't cry enough today, we called in some ringers for ensemble vocals...? #InTheHeightsMovie #TheHydrantsAreOpen pic.twitter.com/CPbPNJnTAu
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) May 23, 2019
#intheheightsmovie read through this morning.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) May 23, 2019
It's cool I only cried 7 times.
You? YA DEAD. pic.twitter.com/hEAELY2CfO
2008 or 2019 I don't know everything is crazy ? #InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/xrRm2k6pBm
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) May 23, 2019
When you FaceTime Olivo so she can see us filming It Won't Be Long Now in the streets of NYC and you both start crying #InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/qGLlbSDXLo
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 7, 2019
#KeepsScrapingBy #InTheHeightsMovie
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 14, 2019
? by @doreencita1 pic.twitter.com/yZyRdRslkX
Your husband's song? @VAMNit, if we hadn't taken a neighborhood walk on that date in 2005, this song wouldn't exist,
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 7, 2019
this is OUR song my love ?#InTheHeightsMovie https://t.co/5C2shW52is
I FaceTimed NY just in time to see them filming 'No Hablo Ingles. Yeees.'
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 11, 2019
???????????????????????#InTheHeightsMovie
How get to Hadestown
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 27, 2019
You'll have to take the long way 'round
Get off at 181st & take the escalator...#InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/Qvm4LJJZmy
The joys of walking to work#TheHydrantsAreOpen#InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/mCRGLeXuOh
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 28, 2019
#InTheHeightsMovie laugh of the day:
Me: ...And just for today, I got mamey!@ARamosofficial: oye, Piraguero, ¿como estas? [I grab his face] Me: I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.@jonmchu: Cut! Going again! - Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 1, 2019
[Opening number.]
#InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/6a93JuYDAP
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 2, 2019
Oh no someone took a time lapse of me watching @ARamosofficial & @MelissaBarreraM sing Champagne
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???#InTheHeightsMovie - Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 8, 2019
Snuck the missus & father-in-law into a crowd scene too ???#InTheHeightsMovie pic.twitter.com/1uGgNJdcxx
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 10, 2019
The #InTheHeightsMovie cry all week has been our neighbors.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 12, 2019
Old and young,
hanging out windows, coming out with food, telling us stories about the block, thanking us,
All month it's been
"You're putting us Latinos on the map in a big way, papa, keep going."
So.
We'll keep going.
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