Disney will begin streaming the movie version of Hamilton on Disney+ in time for this year's Fourth of July holiday. With theaters currently closed down because of the coronavirus pandemic, studios have been finding ways of making their films available to the masses while they self-quarantine in their homes. In Disney's case, they've released their 2019 blockbusters Frozen II and The Rise of Skywalker on Disney+ several months earlier than they'd originally planned. The studio has similarly elected to send its Artemis Fowl movie directly to streaming in June (having previously scheduled it for a theatrical run first).
Shortly after announcing the news about Artemis Fowl, Disney confirmed it has plans to send more films directly to Disney+ in the immediate wake of the pandemic, rather than waiting to release them in theaters at a later date. For the more part, this was expected to include smaller films without a lot of buzz, as opposed to massive tentpoles like Black Widow. However, in a surprising turn, the Mouse House has decided to make the official recording of the smash-hit stage musical Hamilton available for streaming this summer.
Today, Disney issued a press release, confirming the Hamilton movie will begin streaming on Disney on Friday, July 3. The show's creator and original star, Lin-Manuel Miranda, took to Twitter to confirm the news (see his tweet below) and released the following statement, as part of Disney's press release:
“I’m so proud of how beautifully [director] Tommy Kail has brought ‘Hamilton’ to the screen. He’s given everyone who watches this film the best seat in the house. I’m so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to July 4th weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down. I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it."
For those just tuning in, the Hamilton movie is a live-recording of the Broadway show that was filmed in June 2016 and features the original cast in their respective roles (including, Miranda as U.S. Founding Father Alexander Hamilton). Disney acquired the rights to the movie for, reportedly, $75 million in February and had originally planned to premiere it in theaters on October 15, 2021, prior to the pandemic. It's a smart move on the studio's part to release it directly to Disney+ early this summer instead. The streaming service's subscriber numbers have increased substantially recently thanks to everyone being stuck at home and looking for different entertainment options. At the same time, this has also shone a bigger spotlight on the service's lack of must-watch exclusive content, The Mandalorian season one aside.
While The Mandalorian season two is still expected to make its previously-announced release date in October, Disney+ could be hurting for fresh material in the meantime. Marvel's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series was originally slated to begin streaming in August, but its production has since been shut-down because of the pandemic - and while filming could restart in the near future, it's still unlikely to make its original date. Fortunately, Hamilton will help to fill the gap in Disney+'s programming this summer, while simultaneously making the hit musical available for everyone to watch safely at home (including, those who've never seen it performed before). It might not be the same as watching it live but, given the circumstances, it's an excellent alternative... not to mention, a lot cheaper.
Hamilton streams on Disney+ this summer beginning Friday, July 3.
Source: Disney