The film rights for Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ In the Heights have landed at Warner Bros., Deadline reports. The $50 million deal follows a studio bidding war that unfolded after the two creators called for the faltering Weinstein Co. to release the rights in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
Jon M. Chu (Warner Bros.’ Crazy Rich Asians) is attached to direct the screen adaptation of the musical, which played Broadway in 2008 and went on to win four Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score for Miranda (who also starred).
The rights reverted back to Miranda and Hudes earlier this year after Hudes publicly requested that Weinstein drop the rights as the sexual assault and harassment allegations against the producer surfaced and escalated.No word yet on a production timeline.