Lin-Manuel Miranda will make his directorial debut with a film adaptation of “Tick, Tick…Boom!” the autobiographical musical of the late “Rent” playwright Jonathan Larson, Imagine Entertainment announced Thursday.
Miranda, who starred in the Off-Broadway poduction of this musical, will also produce with Imagine Chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, along with Julie Oh. Larson’s sister, Julie Larson, will be executive producer while “Dear Evan Hansen” playwright Steven Levenson will adapt the screenplay.
Taking place in 1990, “Tick, Tick…Boom!” follows Jon, a waiter and aspiring composer who hopes that his next theatrical project, “Superbia,” will bring him his Broadway dreams. But as his roommate prepares to move out and take a high-paying advertising job and his girlfriend pressures him to give up on his play, Jon begins to wonder if his dreams are worth it.
“Jonathan Larson’s captivating storytelling in Rent first taught me that musicals could be contemporary, true to life, and depict your own experiences. But it was Tick, Tick…Boom! that solidified that drive in me to hone my own voice as a playwright,” said Miranda in a statement.
“On stage, playing the role of ‘Jon’ in 2014 was one of my most honored achievements. To now have the opportunity to make my film directorial debut, in collaboration with the Larson Family and this incredible creative team, and to adapt a work I love so deeply, is a humbling privilege.”
Miranda is set to star alongside Emily Blunt in Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” which comes out this Christmas. He will also produce a film adaptation of his first musical, “In the Heights,” for Warner Bros. and will return to the stage to play the lead role as part of a three-week engagement to benefit rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
Miranda and Levenson are represented by WME. The Larson Estate is represented by Paradigm and The Guzman Law Group.
What Can't 'Hamilton' Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda Do? (Photos)
The multi-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda has done it all, performing from Broadway to the White House. Here's a look at his accomplishments through the years.
During his sophomore year of college, Miranda began writing what would ultimately become the Tony-winning Best Musical "In the Heights." What were you doing when you were 20?
Miranda is such a big deal that he was given the chance to voice the Loud Hailer during a performance of Broadway's "Les Miserables," all because he's a huge fan and it had been a lifelong dream of his. Check that one off the bucket list.
Youtube
Miranda and the cast of "Hamilton" not only got to perform at the White House, but the creator/writer/star got to buddy up to the President himself afterwards by freestyle-rapping about the state of the union off of cue cards held up by Barack Obama himself.
Youtube
"Hamilton" became such a big deal that the Treasury department shelved plans to replace Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill with a woman. Instead, the $10 father without a father will stay put, while Harriet Tubman will replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill instead.
"Hamilton" made Grammy history by being so popular that it demanded to be the first Broadway show to perform during the music industry's biggest awards ceremony. Immigrants, we get the job done!
Even Disney and JJ Abrams are huge Miranda fans. He did cantina music for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," will compose for the animated "Moana," and will star in "Mary Poppins" with Emily Blunt. All while continuing to star in "Hamilton," because of course.
Disney
To underline how big of a phenom "Hamilton" really has become, the musical has already garnered Miranda a MacArthur "genius" grant and the Pulitzer for Best Drama. Come June, it will sweep the Tony Awards as well. And good luck getting tickets. Still.
Miranda's latest goal is to get Congress to allow Puerto Rico to declare bankruptcy amid a major economic crisis. John Oliver devoted an entire "Last Week Tonight" segment to it, and then invited Miranda - who had already spoken in DC about the issue - to come on stage to do what he does best. "Hamilton" tickets and even private performances are on the table. Paul Ryan, your move.
HBO
1 of 9
The ”Hamilton“ creator is urging Congress to act on Puerto Rico’s economic crisis, and there’s precedent that says he will succeed
The multi-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda has done it all, performing from Broadway to the White House. Here's a look at his accomplishments through the years.