The Warner Bros.’ adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, In the Heights, is set to land in theaters one week earlier than originally planned. Now, instead of releasing to cinemas and HBO Max June 18, the film will open June 11.
“Surprise. We coming to Theaters one week earlier!!!” tweeted director John M. Chu. “There has been so much demand since our trailer this week that we decided to get it out to you sooner. Let’s gooooooooooooo!!!! See you soon, JUNE 11th 2021.”
In the Heights stars Hamilton actor Anthony Ramos as Usnavi, a bodega owner with big dreams living in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood. Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Jimmy Smits, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Stephanie Beatriz also star in the film, which was written by Quiara Alegria Hudes. Miranda, who played Usnavi in the original production, will also have a small role in the adaptation.
Chu previously directed the hit 2018 romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians, but has a history working on music-heavy films with complex choreography. He worked on the dance films Step-Up 2 and Step-Up 3D in 2008 and 2010 respectively.
The musical adaptation was actually originally scheduled to release in June of 2020, but was ultimately postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. And, as with almost every other big release from Warner Bros this year, the film is releasing to HBO Max the same day as it releases in theaters.