It’s official—Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway show Hamilton is coming to theaters on October 15, 2021! Miranda revealed that it will not be a film adaptation; instead, it’s a previously recorded “live capture” of the stage performance from the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York, where it first began. 

Hamilton is a hit Broadway show about  founding father Alexander Hamilton, featuring unique hip-hop influenced songs and a diverse cast. The show, which opened to Broadway in 2015, won 11 Tony Awards and is still one of the most critically acclaimed shows to ever be staged.

Director Tommy Kail directed both the stage and movie versions, which consisted of shooting three live performances and several set-up shots without an audience. All of the footage will be used to create multiple angles of the show, ensuring that movie-goers will be able to see the show from every angle. Kail described the film as “combining the best elements of live theatre and film… [to get] a cinematic stage performance that is a wholly new way to experience Hamilton.” 

While the release day was new, Miranda reported that the Hamilton film was in the works for a long time. He told Variety at the Sundance Film Festival last month that the movie would come out “hopefully sooner than later.” According to Miranda, “it’s no secret that we filmed it. We filmed the show with the original cast the week before the beginning cast members began to leave the show.”

Not only will the film be nostalgic for previous watches, but people who’ve never seen Hamilton live will also be able to see the hit Broadway show, just like it was performed three years ago. “What I’m most excited about is there will be a point at which, you all have that friend who brags, I saw it with the original cast. We’re stealing that brag from everyone,” Miranda added. “Because you’re all going to see it with the original cast. We’re just trying to find the right time to do it.”

The film will be released by Disney, who reportedly paid a massive $75 million to acquire the rights to the film. Although producers tend to be more cautious selling movie adaptations to a Broadway show, it’s been reported that Disney had to fight for a long period of competitive negotiations to make the final bid.

Hamilton is absolutely revolutionary in its musical-theater storytelling and influence to creative artists for generations to come. Whether you’re familiar with the show or are a newcomer, there is no doubt that seeing Hamilton on the big screen will be a one-of-a-kind experience!

Photo Courtesy of PINTEREST.COM