Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda Plans 'Scrappy' In the Heights Movie

Hamilton creator and headliner Lin-Manuel Miranda has taken Broadway by storm as the hip-hop tuner generates buzz well beyond the Great White Way. In addition to discussing Hamilton's significance during the upcoming presidential election with The Hollywood Reporter, the Tony winner talked about another highly anticipated project: In the Heights on the big screen.

“Now we’re aiming for a scrappy $15 million movie,” Miranda said, adding the new scaled-back approach “is more in keeping with the spirit of the show.” The Broadway multi-tasker also said there is a new screenplay.

Miranda credits the turnaround to Universal Pictures' concern that there was no major Latino star attached to the film. “That’s Hollywood being scared,” explained Miranda, “and that’s everyone there having to answer to somebody else. And one of the things I learned was, the less money that’s involved, the more power you have.”

Plans for a film adaptation of In the Heights were first announced when Universal acquired the rights in 2008—the same year the musical opened on Broadway and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score. “At that point,” said Miranda, “the picture was budgeted at around $37 million.” Kenny Ortega, the man behind such movie musicals as Newsies and High School Musical, was set to direct.

And as for Hamilton on the big screen? “That conversation’s a ways off,” Miranda said. “It’s not happening anytime soon.” Until then, you can catch the rapping Founding Father on stage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.