In The Heights Movie Lands New Screenwriter

Screenwriter Marc Klein has been brought on board by Universal Pictures to oversee the script for the studio's big screen adaptation of In the Heights, according to Variety. As previously announced Kenny Ortega (This Is It, High School Musical) will direct the film with original cast member and Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda reprising his role as Usnavi.

Set over three days in Upper Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, In the Heights is a musical journey into the lives of three generations of the area’s inhabitants and their vibrant, diverse community. The show opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on March 9, 2008, and went on to win Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations and Best Original Score. Miranda also nabbed a nomination for Best Actor. The Broadway production currently features Corbin Bleu as Usnavi.

Universal had previously hired the musical's book writer Quiara Alegria Hudes to create the script, but the studio brought in Klein to take a second look. His screenwriting credits include Serendipity and A Good Year, as well as the in-development TMI starring Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris.

The movie adaptation of In the Heights is scheduled to begin filming in New York in August 2010 to maintain the musical’s summer-set authenticity.