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The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread

The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread

hork Profile Photo
hork
#2The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 11:18am

The director's filmography doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence. Nor does the fact that Hudes is writing the screenplay (since the book is the musical's weak point).

steven22 Profile Photo
steven22
#3The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 11:20am

I can't wait for this! I hope it actually happens this time...

Jeffrey Karasarides Profile Photo
Jeffrey Karasarides
#4The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 11:34am

hork said: "The director's filmography doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence."

I can certainly see what you're talking about. Jon M. Chu does have experience with dance, so that's probably a reason why he was considered.

Then again, if you look up Adam Shankman's filmography before he did Hairspray, it wasn't that great either.

hork Profile Photo
hork
#5The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 11:52am

Jeffrey Karasarides said:
Then again, if you look up Adam Shankman's filmography before he did Hairspray, it wasn't that great either.


And neither was Hairspray.

 

BrodyFosse123 Profile Photo
BrodyFosse123
#6The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 11:54am

With all due respect, Adam Shankman's directing career post-HAIRSPRAY is worst than his pre-HAIRSPRAY directing career.  The colossal flop that was 2012's ROCK OF AGES kinda put the nail on the coffin.  His producing work is more respected these days.  

 

Plus, IN THE HEIGHTS isn't a dance musical.  There were elements of dance and a salsa club dance sequence but the musical isn't driven by dance like WEST SIDE STORY.  Jon M. Chi hasn't only directed dance films but his understanding of dance will help if elements of the musical's dance are kept in some form.  On stage the dance is interpretive which works.  On film, it makes no sense unless you want the film to resemble a music video.  


hork Profile Photo
hork
#7The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 12:09pm

Certain scenes, particularly "96,000" and the nightclub scene, will benefit from a director with dance experience. In fact, the movie has the potential to make the club scene even better than the stage version, which didn't really emphasize dance or choreography. But that amazing salsa music kind of demands some kickass choreography to go with it. The question is if he has the directing chops to integrate and harmonize the choreography with the camerawork. I've never seen any of his movies, so I have no idea what he's capable of.

theatregoer3 Profile Photo
theatregoer3
#8The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 12:28pm

Based on the choice of the director I can see this going the way of the Rent movie wherein they had no idea how to translate it or give it a reason to exist so they just created physical movement wherever possible (singing on a bike or walking down the street or adding a chorus of dancers!) to essentially make a reason for its existence and to make it stand out from the stage version. Of course, it was a total disaster and I can't get through it no matter how hard I try. 

 

A visionary director is needed. By that I mean someone who is an artist in their own right. For example, when Spike Lee was slated to direct Rent I thought, "Now this makes sense. This will be GREAT." Columbus and Chu aren't very original and their projects tend to lack and creativity or cohesive vision. Remember the Harry Potter movies? The first two were so basic and then when they finally brought in a visionary director for the third it really lifted the whole series into another world that people of all ages could appreciate.

 

Even Chu's direction of live events is so beige and basic. I can't imagine him doing a worthy job of translating this.

Jeffrey Karasarides Profile Photo
Jeffrey Karasarides
#9The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 12:31pm

hork said: "Jeffrey Karasarides said:
Then again, if you look up Adam Shankman's filmography before he did Hairspray, it wasn't that great either.

And neither was Hairspray.
"

It apparently has a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes for no reason. You may not have liked the film, but you don't speak for the majority of the people who've seen it. Most people you have seen it (myself included) actually liked it.

hork Profile Photo
hork
#10The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 12:51pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "hork said: "Jeffrey Karasarides said:
Then again, if you look up Adam Shankman's filmography before he did Hairspray, it wasn't that great either.

And neither was Hairspray.
"

It apparently has a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes for no reason. You may not have liked the film, but you don't speak for the majority of the people who've seen it. Most people you have seen it (myself included) actually liked it.


 

My mistake. The evidence you presented clearly proves that it is a great movie. I'll adjust my notes accordingly.

 

hork Profile Photo
hork
#11The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 12:54pm

theatregoer3 said: "Based on the choice of the director I can see this going the way of the Rent movie wherein they had no idea how to translate it or give it a reason to exist so they just created physical movement wherever possible (singing on a bike or walking down the street or adding a chorus of dancers!) to essentially make a reason for its existence and to make it stand out from the stage version. Of course, it was a total disaster and I can't get through it no matter how hard I try. 

 

A visionary director is needed. By that I mean someone who is an artist in their own right. For example, when Spike Lee was slated to direct Rent I thought, "Now this makes sense. This will be GREAT." Columbus and Chu aren't very original and their projects tend to lack and creativity or cohesive vision. Remember the Harry Potter movies? The first two were so basic and then when they finally brought in a visionary director for the third it really lifted the whole series into another world that people of all ages could appreciate.


 

I couldn't agree more. In fact, since you brought up Spike Lee, I think he'd be the perfect director for In the Heights. But, alas, visionaries don't direct Broadway musical adaptations.



 

CarlosAlberto Profile Photo
CarlosAlberto
#12The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 12:58pm

Well  I see the sarcasm is as thick as honey in this particular thread.

I wonder what pre-existing role would Miranda take on in the ITH film. Nina's dad? Piragua guy?

 

hork Profile Photo
hork
#13The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 1:00pm

Piragua guy would be my guess. He's too young for Kevin.

MyLife
#14The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 1:39pm

I'm all for Lin making a cameo but can he sing the Piragua Guy's songs?

Lin should play Jose from the liquor store.

Rumpelstiltskin Profile Photo
Rumpelstiltskin
#15The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 1:55pm

MyLife said: ". . . Lin should play Jose from the liquor store."

As long as I'm playing Julio.  

Alex Kulak2
#16The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 2:44pm

hork said: "The director's filmography doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence. Nor does the fact that Hudes is writing the screenplay (since the book is the musical's weak point).)

I'm terrified about this directorial choice, considering two of the films he's most known for are Jem and the Holograms, one of the worst adaptations of a cartoon ever, and the Justin Bieber documentaries, which speak for themselves. I'd like to think Hudes would go ack and correct some of her mistakes and weak points. She is a Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright, she probably knows a thing or two now about writing that she didn't know a decade ago.

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madbrian
#17The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 2:45pm

Naya Rivera as Vanessa, please.


"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

rjm516
#18The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 3:04pm

I really wish there was a chance Eliseo could be the Piragua Guy. Just the best. I don't know who I'd want Lin to be; maybe someone new and small.

 

Also Hairspray is amazing. 

Mr. Nowack Profile Photo
Mr. Nowack
#19The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 3:08pm

Been waiting for this for years! HAMILTON has made it possible at last.


Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated

Mister Matt Profile Photo
Mister Matt
#20The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/27/16 at 3:23pm

Put me in the camp that found the Hairspray film disappointing.  I was excited about it and I didn't think it was a bad film, but to me, it missed the mark in so many ways.  I thought Dreamgirls was probably the best film adaptation of a musical in the last 20 years, though not flawless.  I'd love a film of In the Heights, but  I'm learning to lower my expectations.  This director doesn't particularly inspire confidence in the project.


"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

ACL2006 Profile Photo
ACL2006
#21The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/28/16 at 9:42am

I'm wondering who they're looking at casting wise for all the roles. If they're starting filming in the spring, I have to imagine they're locking people in already.


A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.

MyLife
#22The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/28/16 at 11:18am

I'm willing to bet Jennifer Lopez will play Daniela given their recent collaboration for Orlando.

kofler22
#23The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/28/16 at 11:37am

Sofia Vergara for Daniela!!! 

BrodyFosse123 Profile Photo
BrodyFosse123
#24The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/28/16 at 11:44am

Lin-Manuel DID offer the role of Daniela to Sofia Vergara when the film was almost made years ago.  He appeared on an episode of MODERN FAMILY and this topic was discussed at the time in the Broadway media.  I don't recall her response to this offer.  


MyLife
#25The IN THE HEIGHTS Film Adaptation Thread
Posted: 9/28/16 at 11:49am

That'd be fantastic too! Maybe J-Lo for Camila?


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