The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread

[textbarellis]

Krysta Rodriguez for Vanessa. Please and thank you.

[BroadwayNYC2]

He was great at KenCen. Well deserved. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Casting the lead with a newbie, so to speak, they will definitely will be casting the rest of the roles with big name talent.  I think it’s safe to assume Jennifer López will be the film’s Daniela.  

[natashalost]

Any chance Gina Rodriguez could play one of the roles in this movie? She's posted some videos online of her singing and she has a lovely voice. 

[SomethingPeculiar]

A great choice, and it also creates a connection between Warner Bros. two biggest non-franchise films of 2018 (Crazy Rich Asians and A Star Is Born).

And remember: Crazy Rich Asians had a virtually unknown cast, so I wouldn't be so quick to assume there will be a bunch of A-listers. They could of course cast a star like JLO or a legend like Rita Moreno, but if the stars aren't REALLY going to sell tickets, that's just wasted money. WB could be hoping that this property can sell tickets on its own and become a big summer blockbuster.

[chelseaburnside]

LizzieCurry said: ""in talks""

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoxQK9Tgz4-/?taken-by=jazzy_joness I'm taking this as confirmation

[JP2]

Eiza González (Baby Driver) is being considered for a role

[MyLife]

Hellob said: "Ramos has been the most successful OBC member (outside of Lin). I'm sure no one expected that. Yay for him."

I'm not sure I agree with this. Daveed, Leslie, Jasmine, and even Oak have all gone on to do a lot since Hamilton. I see Anthony Ramos as having similar success, certainly nothing stands out to make him be "the most successful."

[ampi2]

JP2 said: "Eiza González (Baby Driver) is being considered for a role"

I forgot she could sing! 

[JP2]

Other names include Rita Moreno and Sophia Vergara...

 

Filming starts in the Summer.

[darquegk]

Or what about Stephanie Beatriz? Between her roles on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and BoJack Hoseman, she's had two prestige TV shows, plus she's a great singer.

[JP2]

I mean I'm not sure who that is, haha. Names I've posted are just the names I've heard. :) 

Then again I have no idea who Eiza González is but she looks beautiful and has a lovely voice. 

[natashalost]

Lin tweeted today saying they have officially opened their digital casting call! Anyone interested in auditioning can visit: intheheightsmoviecasting.com

Roles they are looking for: 

FEMALE ROLE #1 - Young, starry-eyed and intelligent (book-smart and street-smart). Must sing and dance well. Familiarity with speaking Spanish is ideal. (Audition sides ask you to read a scene as Nina and sing a cut of "Breathe"

FEMALE ROLE #2 - A strong woman who is stylish, sassy and loves to gossip. Must sing and dance well. Familiarity with speaking Spanish is ideal. (Audition sides ask you to read a scene as Daniela and sing a cut of "No Me Diga"

MALE ROLE #1 - Completely streetwise, this teen is brilliant but also a total goofball. Must sing and dance well. Familiarity with speaking Spanish is ideal. (Audition sides ask you to read a scene as Sonny and sing a cut of "96,000"

MALE ROLE #2 - Driven, charismatic, and full of energy. Puts on a brave face when times get tough. Must rap, sing and dance well. Familiarity with speaking Spanish is ideal. (Audition sides ask you to read a scene as Usnavi and sing a cut of "96,000"

[ggersten]

 

[teddy1996]

i am extremely excited for this film adaptation. it’s gonna be great!! i think we will have fresh new talent fill the rest of the roles.

[BrodyFosse123]

These misleading open call notices are digusting. These are principal roles that they will cast with established talent. I see no purpose of posting these notices if they’re actually looking for background actors.  Each of the roles they posted about are highly coveted and top talent will be vying for them.  Even with limitations, the studio will go with box office known recognized names over some talented unknown.   

[teddy1996]

so far we have anthony ramos as usnavi. which actors would you love to see fill the rest of the roles?

[BwayLB]

Rita Moreno as Abuela Claudia

[BrodyFosse123]

Predictably, due to their prominent association with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Oscar winning legend Rita Moreno will be Abuela Claudia and Jennifer López will be Daniela.   

[teddy1996]

BrodyFosse123 said: "Predictably, due to their prominent association with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Oscar winning legend Rita Moreno will be Abuela Claudia and Jennifer López will be Daniela. "

and how do you know? 

[BrodyFosse123]

Seriously, I explain my reasoning in the intro of my message.

I don’t think I need to write an outline of why I said what I said it as I explain my reasoning in my message. Oh, boy.  

[JP2]

Moreno IS in the mix. Lopez is not.

 

 

[teddy1996]

i would love to see jordan fisher as benny. he would kill it.

[hamiltonboys]

Pardon to interrupt the discussion about casting, but I'm just curious if Warner Bros is actually planning on the film turning a profit? I know Lin is really "in" right now, but In the Heights is not nearly as well-known as Hamilton is. They paid $50 million for the rights, and I don't see the production budget coming in at any less than $70 million. The film would need to make more than $300 million at the box office to break even. 

Then again, most of Warner Bros. recent musical films have been flops at the box office, so maybe they don't care? I'm glad the film is being made either way.

[SomethingPeculiar]

hamiltonboys said: "They paid $50 million for the rights, and I don't see the production budget coming in at any less than $70 million. The film would need to make more than $300 million at the box office to break even."


A STAR IS BORN, CRAZY RICH ASIANS, and LA LA LAND were all budgeted at ~ $30 million with domestic grosses in the $150million+ range, and I would expect HEIGHTS to be similar. In addition to this being a property that could do very well financially and get awards attention, Warner Bros. is probably viewing this as an investment in one of the hottest content-creators of the moment (Lin-Manuel Miranda) and the director of their big summer hit (Jon Chu).


Re: BrodyFosse123's comment about auditions:  Those 4 sides could be their way of considering people for other roles in the film. Nobody knows who they're going to cast, and it certainly doesn't hurt the team to have an arsenal of talented "unknowns" from which they could draw –– for principal, supporting, or ensemble roles. Lin will surely have a lot of power in this production, and he seems to value talent.