Lin-Manuel Miranda Announces Hamilton Film

by The Cowl Editor on February 13, 2020


Film and Television


How the Movie Will Feature the Original Cast and Stage

by Madison Palmieri ’22 A&E Staff

Fans of Hamilton will be satisfied to know that the hit Broadway musical is coming to the big screen. On Monday, February 3, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show’s creator who originally starred as the titular Founding Father, announced on Twitter that a film featuring the original Broadway cast of the musical and filmed at the Richard Rodgers Theatre is in the works. Disney is set to produce the movie, which currently has a release date of October 15, 2021. 

Some Providence College students count themselves among the many fans already excited to see the movie. “I’m super excited that they are making a film version of the musical Hamilton. I think it’s great that they are doing a recording of the live stage production and not an adaptation,” says Kara Berlin-Gallo ’21. 

“In my opinion, some film adaptations of musicals have not been great. I feel like Hollywood cares more about hiring big name actors instead of hiring Broadway stars who can really sing. Therefore, what I like about this Hamilton film is that people can see the original cast and the original staged production, which is so incredible and almost impossible to recreate for a film. I honestly cannot wait for the movie to come out and I’m counting down the days until I can see this incredible production in the theaters!”

Indeed, the original cast and stage footage appear to be the facets of the production that Hamilton fans are most excited about. Having seen the show on stage, the show’s lighting, costumes, and set add symbolism and another dimension to Hamilton’s story,” explains Allison Kohne ’22. “The original cast is also iconic, so I’m excited to see them in their original roles.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA

The musical first premiered at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in early 2015, and quickly garnered a mass following, catapulting its cast to stardom and receiving 11 Tony Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Hamilton follows the life and times of Alexander Hamilton as he and other historical figures attempt to create a new nation while facing the everyday struggles of life, love, and loss. Notably, it incorporates a wide variety of musical genres into its soundtrack, ranging from hip-hop and rap to more traditional showtunes.

Although he is best known for Hamilton, this show is not Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Broadway musical. In fact, a film adaptation of his 2008 show, In the Heights, will hit theaters on June 26. Unlike the upcoming Hamilton film, however, In the Heights will feature a new cast.

Nonetheless, both films are sure to please audiences. While In the Heights will be released in a matter of months, those eagerly anticipating Hamilton are going to have to wait for it.