The latest trailer for Warner Bros.' adaptation of In the Heights has arrived. With Hamilton having received the cinematic treatment last year, Lin-Manuel Miranda's other Tony-winning musical is getting its time in the spotlight. Miranda wrote the music and lyrics for In the Heights, while Quiara Alegría Hudes was the mastermind behind the book. Both have contributed to the movie adaptation, which is directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians). In the Heights is one of the many WB movies debuting both on HBO Max and in theaters this year, and it will roll out on June 11.
Set in the New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights, In the Heights centers on Usnavi (Hamilton's Anthony Ramos), a bodega owner who dreams of saving up enough money to move to his late parents' home country of the Dominican Republic. He's surrounded by the neighborhood's colorful residents who are more like family than friends, including taxi driver Benny (Corey Hawkins) and Usnavi's longtime crush Vanessa (Melissa Barrera). Like Usnavi, everyone has big dreams and eyes on a better future.
During Sunday night's telecast of the 93rd Academy Awards, Miranda debuted the newest trailer for In the Heights. In addition to revealing more of the showstopper "Carnaval del Barrio," the trailer plays some of the sweet duet "When the Sun Goes Down" to kick things off. Check it out down below.
Between In the Heights and Steven Spielberg's West Side Story remake, 2021 is promising to make up for the lack of traditional movie musicals that occurred last year. Both films were supposed to debut in 2020, but now, they can help usher in a brighter, post-pandemic future. In the Heights, especially, since it will kick off a delayed summer movie season. The events of the musical take place within a handful of scorching summer days, so it's only fitting that it debut in June. The latest glimpse at In the Heights put the spotlight on the big dance numbers, with the aforementioned "Carnaval del Barrio" really taking center stage.
Alongside the colorful, bustling showstoppers in the newest In the Heights trailer is a theme that is very prominent within the musical: Dreams. It's clear Chu has chosen to adopt an almost fantastical approach for certain numbers, as seen through moments like when Benny and his childhood friend/crush Nina (Leslie Grace) dance up the side of buildings. That likely belongs to their Act 1 number "When You're Home." Chu's creative approach for In the Heights will surely add an extra level of beauty to the already heartfelt musical. Hopefully the finished product can live up to the vibrancy of the trailers.
Source: In the Heights/Twitter
