“In the Heights” Film Release Postponed due to COVID-19 Outbreak

“In the Heights” Film Release Postponed due to COVID-19 Outbreak

In the Heights, the upcoming feature film based on the 2008 Broadway musical written by original Broadway lead Lin-Manuel Miranda (music and lyrics) and Quiara Alegría Hudes (book), has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

In the special one day return of the Rosie O’Donnell show, Miranda said, “We were literally recording the score when all of this started happening, so there’s a lot that still remains to be done on that movie. We were finishing the score, and the mixing, and just getting the music exactly right. But I’m really hopeful for that, something we all get to watch in the theaters together when it’s time, when we feel safe to go out.”

In a tweet he released earlier today, Miranda officially announced the film’s postponement. He said, “We had the best summer of our lives filming #InTheHeightsMovie last year. We gathered in Washington Heights and told this story, on location in this neighborhood, with our neighbors in this community. We couldn’t wait to share it with you. But we’re going to have to wait a little longer. With the uncertainty in our world, right now, the release of In the Heights is being postponed.”

He adds, “When we can safely gather again, flags in hand, we will be there, enjoying this movie in theaters. We’ll have the premiere uptown. The best summer of our lives, together. Patience & Faith. Paciencia y Fe.”

Alright, mama, okay… pic.twitter.com/1uxOuUxe53

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) March 24, 2020

The film was supposed to be released in US cinemas on June 26, 2020. It is directed by John Chu, with a screenplay written by Hudes and Marc Klein.

The cast features Anthony Ramos (Usnavi), Corey Hawkins (Benny), Melissa Barrera (Vanessa), Leslie Grace (Nina Rosario), Stephanie Beatriz (Carla), Jimmy Smits (Kevin Rosario), Gregory Diaz IV (Sonny), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Daniela), Dascha Polanco (Cuca), Marc Anthony (Sonny’s father), Noah Catala (Graffiti Pete), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Piraguero), and Olga Merediz (Abuele Claudia).

In the Heights follows the story of Usnavi, a bodega owner who has mixed feelings about closing his store and retiring to the Dominican Republic after inheriting his grandmother’s fortune.

The Broadway musical won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

You can watch the official trailer below.