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Excellent news for me and my fellow theater nerds! If you can’t see Lin-Manuel Miranda reprieve his role as Alexander Hamilton in the musical that took home 11 Tony awards when he brings the show to Puerto Rico in January, fret not. The beloved Broadway musical Hamilton may just be heading to a theater or streaming service near you.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox are among the studios rumored to be battling it out for the theatrical rights for a performance of the hit musical that was filmed in 2016 with the original cast. The rights to this film could go for more than $50 million. Once the deal is struck, the victorious studio won’t be able to release the film in theaters or streaming until at least 2020.
Note that the film in question is actually a filmed version of the stage performance, not a new movie, a la Hairspray or Les Miz. I’m perfectly fine with this. I, personally am excited to see the original cast, including Jonathan Groff as King George III, Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, Christopher Jackson as George Washington, Philippa Soo as Eliza Hamilton, Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson and Reneé Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler.
In 2016, Lin-Manuel revealed that the cast had secretly recorded a run-through of the show, but wasn’t sure at the time when, if ever, it would be released. At the time, he tweeted, “What are we doing with that footage? No idea. Throwing it in a vault at Gringotts for a bit [probably]. But we’re getting it.” Apparently, that’s a Harry Potter reference. I don’t get it, but all I know is that soon I will no longer have to deal with the stress and constant rejection of entering the Hamilton lottery every day to try and see the show.
In other Hamilton news, the show, well, actually Lin-Manuel, director Thomas Kail, music director Alex Lacamoire, and choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler will all be recognized at the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors, along with Cher, Reba McEntire, composer Phillip Glass and jazz musician Wayne Shorter.
The Hamilton film is just one of the many projects in the works for Lin-Manuel. It was just reported that he is set to direct his first feature film, a big screen adaptation Tick, Tick…Boom! based on the autobiographical musical by playwright Jonathan Larson, who created the smash musical Rent and, sadly passed away the morning of the show’s first off-Broadway preview performance.
Lin-Manuel is also set to serve as executive producer for an upcoming FX series telling the story of famed choreographer Bob Fosse and his ex-wife, dancer Gwen Verdon, starring Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams. And if that’s not enough, the film rights to his first smash musical, 2008’s In the Heights, were recently acquired by Warner Bros. That’s a lot of Lin-Manuel, and I am here for all of it.
Photos: Getty and WENN
Um…. reprise his role?
Yes, Gringotts is the super secure bank in Harry Potter run by dwarves … come on Corey! Get with the program 🙂
Run by goblins, not dwarves!
OMG yes you are right. Sacrilege Snazzy!! I will re-read all of the HP books in penance for such a mistake
The hp books are your reward, not your penance 😉
2020? Jesus, I’m suppossed to remain all aquiver with anticipation until then?
*hands Rescue Cat a paper bag*
I’ll be borderline hyperventilating until then. I. CAN’T. WAIT. FOR. THIS!
//Immigrants, we get the job done
Worth it. I saw it in LA and if it comes out in movie theatres I’ll probably see it once a week for a month. And then buy it on DVD/Blu-Ray
I’m puzzled about how run-thru footage will work as a film, but I’ll be there for it regardless. I saw Hamilton, but not with Miranda (who imbued the role with so much personality, as is evident in the recorded soundtrack). Would love to see him play the lead role. The play is unbelievably ingenious, clever, and moving, and he was well deserving of the McArthur genius award he received while working on it.
I love all of this. What I love the most?
Lin is not an opportunist. He’s very professional and detail-oriented and I have no doubt he would never release anything that would be less than perfect.
People were reacting yesterday about Michelle Williams and Sam Rockwell being cast and had doubts. I have no knowledge of their performing abilities but once again, I trust Lin.
I was lucky enough to see Hamilton on the West End and it was magnificent, everything I had been hoping for and more. Every single member of the company is brilliant. All the different companies thought the world and understudies are NOT discount-Hamilton. That is the number one reason to trust that the Hamilton recording is good and that the show for FX will be as well.
He seems like a really cool and relatable dude but Lin’s work is his life and he suffers no fools. He wants the best from everyone, you can tell.
I had a discussion with Marsha Songcome from the London cast after the show. She had nothing but praise for him but mainly for Alex Lacamoire and “Tommy” Kail (she told me she had mainly interacted with them). She said they were the best people she had ever worked with and couldn’t praise them enough.
It’s too late to make it short so I would just say this: don’t hesitate to see ANY production of Hamilton because ultimately it has the Miranda seal of approval and that’s a sign of quality IMO!
I just want to chime in and echo what Mel said: “Don’t hesitate to see any production of Hamilton.”
My husband and I saw the Philip Tour twice when it was in Las Vegas and it blew us away. The second time we saw it, Hamilton and Lafayette/Jefferson’s understudies performed and they were absolutely amazing. Everyone in the cast was phenomenal and I can’t recommend it enough. If you can swing it, do it!
Omg can’t wait to see this yay!!!!
I am beyond excited for the opportunity to see the production with its original cast. I will be in the theater, and then I will be purchasing it if given the chance. Yes!!!
I saw it in Chicago and of course loved it, but it wasn’t the original cast.
It was filmed and broadcast in a few movie theatres in Canada several years ago. Maybe he is talking about a revival of that showing in the USA?
In case anyone is confused: Canada’s biggest theatre chain shows performances of musicals, ballets, operas and rock/pop concerts from around the world in select theatres on the weekends. These performances are very popular with senior citizens and anyone who cannot afford to travel far to access great live performances.
Imagine if it comes out the same time as Cats. OMG
I will drive two hours to see one if these broadcasts/showings. Where I live now it is highly unlikely I will get to see it any other way unless they release it on dvd.
Hamilton with a side of Harry Potter neediness? Sign me up. We saw it in NYC after many of the original cast members had moved on and it was amazing. I was worried I would be disappointed after playing the soundtrack continuously for months and just the general hype but it was even better than I expected. It was the last weekend for Chris Jackson and I bawled.
Lin is setting himself up for the EGOT and I’m LOVING it.
Ditto. <3
I need it.
Saw it with the Chicago cast (absolutely dazzling and masterful) but I’m a bit frightened to admit what I’d pay to see the original cast, even if it isn’t live. 😁