New In the Heights Featurette Highlights Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Neighborhood

New In the Heights Featurette Highlights Lin-Manuel Miranda's Neighborhood

Warner Bros. Pictures has released a brand new In the Heights featurette for Jon M. Chu’s upcoming film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, which is scheduled to hit theaters and HBO Max this Thursday, June 10. The video features interviews by producer Lin-Manuel Miranda, and writer Quiara Alegría Hudes as they give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their own neighborhood that inspired the film. They also talked about how important it is to them to deliver a story that reflects their vibrant immigrant community.

In the Heights is set in Washington Heights in New York City and focuses on a bodega owner who is closing his store and retiring to the Dominican Republic after inheriting his grandmother’s fortune. The film fuses Miranda’s kinetic music and lyrics with director Jon M. Chu’s lively and authentic eye for storytelling to capture a world very much of its place, but universal in its experience.

The film is being led by Anthony Ramos (Hamilton, A Star is Born) as Usnavi de la Vega, a character previously played by Miranda in the original Broadway musical. It also stars Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton) as Benny, Melissa Barrera (Vida) as Vanessa, and Leslie Grace as Nina Rosario. It will also feature Miranda, Jimmy Smits, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Stephanie Beatriz, Olga Merediz, Gregory Diaz IV, Marc Anthony, and Dascha Polanco.

Based on Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s award-winning Broadway musical, In the Heights is directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) from a script written by Quiara Alegría Hudes (Hamilton). It is produced by Miranda, Hudes, Anthony Bregman, Mara Jacobs, and Scott Sanders.