STEP UP's Jon M. Chu In Talks to Direct IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, thanks to the push of Lin-Manuel Miranda's HAMILTON, a little Tony-winning musical known as IN THE HEIGHTS is, once more, back on track to hit the big screen.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Weinstein Co. has picked up the long-in-the-works project, initially mounted at Universal, with show creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and Harvey Weinstein producing. Miranda is not expected to star in the adaptation, which the studio is looking to create for around $15 million.

Now according to Variety, Jon M. Chu is in early talks to direct the film. Chu is known for his work on Step Up 2: The Streets, Step Up 3D, and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.

IN THE HEIGHTS opened in March of 2008 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it ran for 1184 performances. The musical features music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The story explores three days in the characters' lives in the New York City Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights. The Broadway production was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, winning four: Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler), and Best Orchestrations (Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman). It was also a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Check out the cast of IN THE HEIGHTS perform at the 2008 TONY AWARDS below!

Photo by Joan Marcus