Lin-Manuel Miranda Signs with Dreamworks Animation

Reuters News is reporting that the Tony-winning writer and star of IN THE HEIGHTS, Lin-Manuel Miranda has signed a development deal with Dreamworks Animation.

Miranda is crafting an animated musical feature with "High School Musical" screenwriter Peter Barsocchini for his first project reveals Reuters. The story line of the untitled project is being kept under wraps for now.

Dreamworks Animation co-president of production Bill Damaschke ("Over the Hedge," "Shark Tale") saw IN THE HEIGHTS off-Broadway several years ago and brought Miranda into the fold reports the news service.

"I was immediately captivated by him as a performer and a writer," Damaschke said in a statement. "At DreamWorks we want to figure out a way to do an animated musical in the way Jeffrey (Katzenberg) did at Disney in the '80s. That team found a way to make an animated musical. Our plan is to do something unique and really innovative. It's been a long time since there's been an animated musical that pushed the medium forward."

Lin-Manuel Miranda played his final performance as "Usnavi" in his acclaimed Broadway hit, IN THE HEIGHTS on Sunday, February 15th, 2009.

IN THE HEIGHTS opened to critical acclaim, going on to win four 2008 Tony Awards (Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations), and garnering a 2008 Grammy Award nomination for the original cast album. In November, 2008, Universal Pictures acquired the rights to produce a feature film based on IN THE HEIGHTS.

Photo Credit: Pablo Pimienta