Universal Dropping IN THE HEIGHTS Film

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 6:07pm

Per Mike Fleming at Deadline.

"Universal Pictures has ended plans to turn the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In The Heights into a feature with director Kenny Ortega. I'm told that the studio made a hard decision to drop the project. Expectation is that creator Lin-Manuel Miranda can set up the musical elsewhere. The studio backed out because the film's budget was $37 million, but the original expectation that big Latino names would in small roles didn't pan out.

That made it a high price tag for a film built on the draw of Miranda, playing a bodega owner in Washington Heights who inherits his late grandmother's lottery winnings and plans to close his store and retire on the beach in the Dominican Republic. In the three day span, he realizes that the neighbors on the block are his true family, which makes the exit decision a hard one. Universal acquired the rights in late 2008 with the show's book writer, Quiara Alegria Hudes, writing the script..."

http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/universal-dropping-musical-in-the-heights/

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 6:09pm

It was only a matter of time.

[ReggieonBway]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 6:10pm

UGH. Lin had better be able to set it up somewhere else

[JP2]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 6:20pm

After the dead silence behind the scenes regarding the film, and Universal moving forward with Les Miz, and possibly Gypsy, I saw this coming a mile away.

No big movie studio is going to put 3 different musicals into production at the same time. But, I must say for a movie musical $37 million is pretty cheap. Sweeney was $50 mil, Hairspray was $75 mil, and Rock of Ages will be the same.
Updated On: 3/28/11 at 06:20 PM

[steven22]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 6:22pm

not surprised...

[wicked4l]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 6:32pm

What a shame! I was really looking forward to this, but I understand they need big stars unfortunately.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 7:21pm

This really stinks! This was my only chance of seeing this musical in person if the tour was not coming to Dallas.

[bk]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 7:23pm

Why is anyone surprised? It was never going to happen, was never close to happening, and let me tell you they do NOT pull out at a 37 million dollar budget, which these days is quite reasonable for any kind of major studio film. It was all BS at every step of the way.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 8:02pm

Not at all. The talks were very good. Everyone is supportive of the material. But a film of IN THE HEIGHTS needed security before it would happen (like any movie musical does), and that security is NAMES.

You gotta wonder who said 'no.' I'm sure EVERY actor that is or could pass as hispanic is on their shortlist. We've all named the names before so no need to do it again.

[JP2]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 8:10pm

Well, according to Variety the film was VERY far into development and they were actually about to screen test actors this week. Such a shame.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 10:14pm

poo :'(

[jdtp12]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 10:23pm

So, if they end up getting picked up elsewhere(which I hope they do), how far back will that push them back? Can they just pick up where they left off?

EDIT: Variety even said the casting for some parts was going to be decided by the end of the week. Updated On: 3/28/11 at 10:23 PM

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 10:28pm

Yikes. I had a feeling this was never going to happen, though.

[JP2]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 10:33pm

"EDIT: Variety even said the casting for some parts was going to be decided by the end of the week. "


Yeah, it's almost disgusting when you hear about how close they were. Just makes me feel worse.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/28/11 at 11:40pm

What a shame Can't say I'm surprised though. This would have needed so excellent casting if it was going to be a success.

[chickfila]

Posted: 3/29/11 at 8:52am

It is Barbra Streisand's fault. Universal wanted her to play Nina and she chose Rose instead.

[Brick]

Posted: 3/29/11 at 11:26am

Don't remind me we'r getting a Grandma Rose instead of this...

[Craig]

Posted: 3/29/11 at 11:37am

No one needs to see it now anyway since Deadline gave the whole plot away for anyone who didn't know about it....

[JP2]

Posted: 3/29/11 at 11:56am

"It is Barbra Streisand's fault. Universal wanted her to play Nina and she chose Rose instead."

What's funny is that this is probably partially true.

[princessem721]

Posted: 3/29/11 at 12:04pm

i really hope another studio picks this up, or that they do it as an independent film. i love this story and show and believe it deserves to be seen by the masses!

[Donthatecongratulate]

Posted: 3/29/11 at 12:26pm

the best thing about ITH is the music. the story's kind of a snore and not so original. if they could find a popular medium for the music and dance part, that would be more interesting and unique than another movie musical that doesn't translate to the big screen. especially if the casting isn't going to be precise and represent REAL people in the barrio. the original cast on broadway was the lightest washington heights I'VE ever seen. even the black guy looked puerto rican.

[hottieho13]

Posted: 3/29/11 at 12:27pm

darn! i wanted this to happen and they were so freaking close to it too!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/29/11 at 12:32pm

They are smart to drop this mess!

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 5:48pm

bumping this up, because I heard Seth Rudestky claim that there is talk and perhaps movement to get the film version of In The Heights made after all -  but no details....

[grstp]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 8:00pm

 I just don't see this getting made with a budget of more than like $20 million tops.