In The Heights (2021) (1 Viewer)

[Jake Lipson]

Andrea Burns (Daniela), Janet Dacal (Carla) and Karen Olivo (Vanessa), who were all in the original Broadway company of In the Heights, are having a virtual reunion right now on Stars in the House.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Director Jon M. Chu talked to EW about the decision to delay the film until next year so it can play theatrically:

"There was a vigorous debate about release dates of course," said Chu, whose previous directing credits include Crazy Rich Asians and Step Up 3D. "But in a weird way we were all on the same page when deciding [whether] this is an opportunity to stream this movie. At the end of the day, everyone who knows our movie or has seen our movie knows that it feels like it needs to be on the big screen. Many movies don’t have to be, but there’s a spirit about this one, a scope about this one, that I think we all believed in. So, there wasn't a fight between should we stream this or put this in the theatre. Everyone knew it was one we wanted to protect and make sure it got on the big screen. It is a very special movie, no doubt. To work with Quiara (Alegría Hudes), who wrote it, and Lin, obviously — the legend, the icon, Lin-Manuel Miranda. And for him to invite us into his hometown, Washington Heights, to introduce us to his neighbors, to the people he grew up with, to this area that he wrote these songs about, they’d never even performed these songs on the streets it was written about, that was really special."

More at the link: https://ew.com/movies/in-the-heights-jon-m-chu-release-date-change/

In slightly related news, Disney announced today that next summer's Pixar film currently scheduled to open the same day as In the Heights is called "Luca." If it had opened this summer as originally planned, In the Heights would have opened opposite the Top Gun sequel. We'll see how that all shakes out.

 

[Malcolm R]

... but there’s a spirit about this one, a scope about this one, that I think we all believed in. ... Everyone knew it was one we wanted to protect and make sure it got on the big screen. It is a very special movie, no doubt.

Sounds like every director about every film they've ever made. Ever.

 

[Jake Lipson]

It's not about the movie, but for anyone interested, PBS is re-airing a documentary from 2009 or so called "In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams" about the development original Broadway production. It is being aired under the Great Performances banner and is supposed to begin tonight. However, my local PBS isn't airing it until next Saturday, so times and dates may vary depending on where you are.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

It's now showing as debuting on HBO Max on June 18th, so it looks like Warner Bros. really is sticking with that date.

I'm excited to see it, but I think I would have enjoyed it more with an audience.

 

[Jake Lipson]

It's now showing as debuting on HBO Max on June 18th, so it looks like Warner Bros. really is sticking with that date.

I know Jon M. Chu is not happy about this. Lin-Manuel Miranda has not made a statement about it either, but I would imagine he's probably not happy either. The whole reason they wanted to delay the film a year was for it to be a big theatrical release. I don't know what kind of sway they have with Warner Bros., but I do think they probably have to work out new deals if WB intends to keep it streaming. Presumably WB would like Chu to come back to direct the Crazy Rich Asians sequels, so he is probably a filmmaker they want to keep happy. We'll see what happens. I would not be at all surprised if at least some of the films currently scheduled for HBO Max end up having plans change.

That being said, if it comes out in June I would certainly watch it at home. I don't know that I will feel comfortable attending a theater at that time. If I'm not, I'll miss the big screen experience for this. On the one hand, I'll be happy to see it without a wait, but on the other, I would almost be fine with another delay if it meant we can actually see this in a theater safely post-pandemic. Even if I do watch it on HBO Max, I think the way WB went around the talent's back to announce this is terrible business and they need to rectify those relationships.

 

[Jake Lipson]

WB has released six (!) new poster images for In the Heights and a new trailer will drop tomorrow.

Warner Bros. Releases Six Teaser Posters for ‘In the Heights’

The movie, a feature version of the Broadway musical, stars Lin-Manuel Miranda and releases June 18.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Jake Lipson]

Here's a surprise. Not one but two new trailers today.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Broadway World has a new article with quotes from members of the cast and director Jon M. Chu about making the film:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/artic...eating-and-Waiting-for-the-New-Film-20210315/

 

[Jake Lipson]

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes have written a new book with Jeremy McCarter about the creative process behind making In the Heights for stage and screen. McCarter was also the coauthor of the Hamilton behind-the-scenes book with Miranda. The new book arrives June 22 which is just after the release of the film.

New Book In The Heights: Finding Home Chronicles the Making of the Hit Musical

June is going to be a big month for In the Heights fans. In addition to the film adaptation of In the Heights hitting theaters …

www.broadway.com

It is currently available for pre-order on Amazon and for some reason their algorithm has placed it as the #1 bestseller in the "Mystery Writing Reference" category, which makes no sense.

 

[Jake Lipson]

In the Heights is moving up its release by a week to June 11.

Warner Bros’ Musical Feature ‘In The Heights’ Moves Up A Week This Summer

In more goods news for exhibition in the upcoming summer schedule, Warner Bros.’ Jon M. Chu directed feature musical is moving from June 18 to June 11. In the Heights leaves behind Disney/Pixar’s Luca on June 18 and goes to a weekend where the pic is the only wide release. The movie, which is...

deadline.com

 

[Jake Lipson]

Amazon just sent em an email regarding the In the Heights: Finding Home book I mentioned in post #70 above. It now has a new release date of June 15 instead of June 22. I expect it has been moved up in order to release closer to the film now that the film has also been pushed up. By moving its date up, the book will still release on the Tuesday after the film's Friday release.

No word yet on pre-orders for the soundtrack, but there has to be one so details about that should be following sooner rather than later. The release of the movie is only 76 days away.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Variety has a new article about the film:

‘In the Heights’: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jon M. Chu on the Hard Fight to Turn the Groundbreaking Musical Into a Movie

After years of setbacks, Lin-Manuel Miranda and John M. Chu are finally bringing barrier-breaking musical "In the Heights" to the screen.

variety.com

 

[Jake Lipson]

Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted an announcement about the movie soundtrack:

 

[Jake Lipson]

Here is the TV spot, including some new material, that was shown during the Oscars on ABC.

 

[Jake Lipson]

For those of you who are comfortable attending movie theaters right now, WB is holding one-showtime free sneak previews on Sunday, May 9. Advance tickets required and limited. Good luck. Information about these screenings should pop up when you load their website linked below.

IN THE HEIGHTS | Own It Now on Digital & 4K Ultra HD™.

IN THE HEIGHTS Official Site Own It Now on Digital & 4K Ultra HD™.

www.intheheights-movie.com

Also, here is a new trailer spotlighting the big musical number "96,000."



The audio of "96,000" has now become the second track from the movie soundtrack to be released In advance of the complete album release on June 11 and you can now get that wherever you stream music.

 

[Jake Lipson]

This is an old find, but YouTube recommended me this video of the original Broadway cast album being recorded back in 2008.



I can't wait to see how this show has been adapted for cinema and what the new cast brings to their roles. But this video is a reminder of how perfect the original cast was. It is not often that you get a group like that. So while I have no doubt that the film is going to be wonderful on its own merits, it also has a high bar to reach.

 

[Jake Lipson]

A bunch of new character posters:

 

[Jake Lipson]

The Hollywood Reporter has a really good feature about Anthony Ramos:

“A Star for a Whole Generation of People”: Anthony Ramos’ Long Journey to ‘In the Heights’ and How He Embraces the “Superpower” of Being a Latino Actor

Hollywood is betting that the multihyphenate has the star appeal to catapult Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jon M. Chu's musical into one of the first post-pandemic hits.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Chris Will]

This is already available on HBO Max. I plan to watch it tonight. Been listening to the soundtrack on Apple Music in the new Dolby Atmos spatial sound mode.