17 Movie Musicals Heading Your Way In The Near Future

Theatres may still be closed but the stagey content is still coming through thick and fast. This year there are still some big musical movies being released - here are some to look forward to over the next 12 months and more in the years ahead:

EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE - THE MOVIE

WHAT? Since premiering in Sheffield in 2017, Everybody's Talking About Jamie has been a sensation - having been a fixture in the West End for over three years, a big movie adaptation is where we will next see this fantastic show. Based on a true story, 16 year old Drag Queen Jamie New wants to go to his prom in a dress. This show is about overcoming prejudice and staying true to yourself and has warmed the hearts of many over the past four years. Get ready for the world to meet this iconic star.

As well as the songs we know and love from the show, a new song has been written - 'This Was Me' will see Hugo tell Jamie about the AIDS crisisand protests about Thatchers policies. It will be sung by Frankie Goes To Hollywood legend Holly Johnson.

WHO?

Max Harwood has been cast as Jamie and is already generating a lot of buzz for his performance. His mum, Margaret is played by Sarah Lancashire, Shobna Gulkati reprises her role of Ray from the show and Richard E. Grant plays Hugo/Loco Chanelle with the original stage star John McCrea playing a younger version of him.

WHEN? Originally due to be released on October 23rd last year, it was postponed until February 26th 2021. Howeverm it has now been pulled from this release date and remains TBC for when it will be released - it should be year though. Check out the trailer below:

WHERE?

Planned to be released in the cinema, that is very much dependant on when they are safe to open again. As the film is distributed by Disney, there is a chance it could end up on a streaming platform but the hope it will still make a cinema debut.

WEST SIDE STORY

WHAT?

Based on one of the most loved musicals of all time, West Side Story has been a musical theatre staple since it first premiered in 1957. The film tells the love story of teenagers Tony and Maria who are members of rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks, this new film adaptation has now completed production and is expected to stay truer to the original Broadway musical than the 1961 film adaptation.

Stephen Sondheim has been working on this version which will be directed by Steven Spielberg. Featuring iconic songs such as 'Maria', 'America', 'Something's Coming', 'Tonight', 'I Feel Pretty' and 'Somewhere' this is sure to be a massive event when it is released.

WHO? The film stars Ansel Elgort as Tony and Rachel Zegler as Maria. Star of Hamilto and The Prom Ariana DeBose is cast as Anita, while David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Corey Stoll, Brian d'Arcy James, Rita Moreno and Curtiss Cook also star.

WHEN?

Originally due for release in time for Christmas 2020, the film was delayed a year and can now be expected on December 10th 2021.

WHERE?

Still being planned for a cinema release, it has been given the now traditional December musical slot. IN THE HEIGHTS

WHAT? Lin Manuel Miranda may have become a massive worldwide star thanks to the success of Hamilton but before that, he had another musical on Broadway. In The Heights played over there for three years and has now been turned into a major movie production.

Set over the course of 3 days, the film tells the story of characters in the largely Latino neighbourhood of Washington Heights where the tight-knit community sing about their hopes and dreams.

WHO?

Fresh from his star turn as a 9 year old in Hamilton, Anthony Ramos leads the production as Usnavi, Leslie Grace plays Nina with Ariana Greenblatt, Corey Hawkins and Marc Anthony also among the cast. Lin Manuel Miranda also has a small role in the film himself.

WHEN? Delayed from its planned 2020 release the film is now set for release on June 18th 2021. Check out the trailer:

WHERE?

Warner Bros have announced that all their movies released this year will be available on their streaming platform HBO Max simultaneously as their cinema release in America. While no such agreement is in place for the UK, it is currently still down for a cinema releae. That said, Warner Bros recent film releases have made their way to Sky in the UK instead of he cinema so don't be surprised if In The Heights follows suit over here.

CINDERELLA

WHAT?

The classic fairytale is given a new musical twist in this upcoming movie. Neither the Disney one or the Rodgers and Hammerstein production, this Cinderella will feature all new songs.

WHO?

An all star cast includes Camila Cabello, Billy Porter, Indina Menzel, Pierce Brosnan, Missy Eliot, Beverley Knight and, of course, serial musical ruiner, James Corden.

WHEN?

Originally set for release on February 5th, this has now been delayed until July 16th 2021.

WHERE?

Due to be released in cinemas, the situation may change so this may go to streaming instead but nothing is confirmed.

TICK, TICK... BOOM!

WHAT?

Jonathan Larson might be best known for RENT but he had more than one musical under his belt before his trafic and premature death, aged just 35. This semi-autobiographical tale tells the story of an aspiring composer named Jon who worries he has made the wrong career choice to be part of the performing arts. As this is set in 1990, nobody asked him to retrain in Cyber.

Lin Manuel Miranda is making his directorial debut with this movie, helping him achieve his goal to be involved with every movie musical that is ever made. No complaints here though!

WHO?

The film stars Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson, and Vanessa Hudgens as Karessa. Stephen Sondheim even makes an appearance, though he is played by Bradley Whitford.

WHEN?

The movie recently completed production so its release is expected imminently. However, no concerete release date has been set as yet. We know it is coming at some point in 2021 and it looks like it could be sooner rather than later. My educated guess would suggest we should see this in the next few months.

WHERE?

It will be streaming exclusively on Netflix. A glimpse of it was seen in their 2021 preview but no trailer has been released as yet.

A WEEK AWAY

WHAT?

A brand new musical movie heading your way this year is this faith based popular. Containing popular Christian music alongside original songs written especially for the musical, it focuses on a troubled teen and his involvement in a Christian summer camp following a run-in with law enforcement.

WHO?

The film stars Bailee Madison, Kevin Quinn, Sherri Shepherd and David Koechner. Receiving comparisons to High School Musical, check out a brief clip from the movie:

WHEN?

Footage of the musical was first unveiled in 2019. After some delays it will be released this year but no set release date has been set just yet.

WHERE?

It will premiere on Netflix at some point this year.

These are the only movie musicals that have been confirmed for release this year so far. There are others in the works that may appear later on in the year or will most likely appear in 2022 and beyond. They are:

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

The movie adaptation of the smash hit musical is on its way. Ben Platt will reprise his role as Evan with Julianne Moore cast as his mother with Amy Adams, Kaitlyn Dever, Danny Pino, Colton Ryan, Nik Dodani and Amandla Stenberg also in the cast. The film features revised characterisations, new characters and at least one new song. Filming has been completed so we could see this released in 2021. If not, it should be in the earier part of 2022.

ALADDIN

Before closing in the West End, a special cast from the Broadway and West End productions gathered for a filmed production of the musical. Nothing has been confirmed regarding this filming though rumours of it heading to Disney+ are constantly appearing (though usually from untrustworthy sources). Given the huge success of Hamilton last year, it is a fair guess that this could pop up on Disney+ this year.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

A new musical adaptation is in the works starring Billy Porter as the voice of Audrey II. Other casting is rumoured but not confirmed. Filming has not yet started so expect to see this in 2022 at the earliest.

MATILDA

A movie adaptation of the hit musical is being filmed in the next few months. Starring Alisha Weir as Matilda, Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey and Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull, this is most likely to be released in 2022 though there is always a very slim chance of release at the end of this year.

13

Jason Robert Brown's Broadway musical is heading for a film adaptation. The film tells the story of Evan Goldman after he moves to New York. A casting call has been sent out and is aiming to be filmed this summer. Expect to see it in late 2022.

THE LITLE MERMAID

The latest Disney live-action remake is this classic Mermaid tale. Halle Bailey will play Ariel with Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina in the cast. It will feature the classic songs as well as new ones by Lin Manuel Miranda. Filming has been delayed multiple times due to the pandemic but is hoped to commence early this year. Expect this in the latter part of 2022.

MEAN GIRLS

Having announced recently it will not be re-opening on Broadway, Tina Fey's musical adaptation of the iconic movie is coming full circle with a new movie. No further information is available as yet so expect this to be a while away - late 2022 or 2023 at the earliest.

GREATEST DAYS

Based on the Take That musical The Band, this movie is being filmed this year ready for release in 2022.

SUNSET BOULEVARD After being rumoured for ages, the long awaited film adaptation of ANdrew Lloyd Webber's musical is a step closer to being made with Glenn Close confirming she will reprise her role as Norma Desmond. No filming date has been set as yet so don't expect to see this until the end of 2022 at the earliest.

THE COLOR PURPLE A movie adaptation based on the musical version of The Color Purple has been confirmed, though you have a while to wait to see it. The Tony award winning musical will head to the big screen on December 20th 2023.

WICKED

The Wicked movie has been in development for ages, constantly getting bumped from one release date to another. It's most recent release date was due to be December 2021 though this has now been taken off, with no release date as yet, Given casting is yet to even be announced, 2022 seems ambitious for this adaptation though we will see it eventually... I hope.

More adaptations are said to be in the works including Be More Chill, Beautiful, Come From Away and Once On This Island but aside from initial announcements, nothing more has been said for any of these so don't expect them in the next couple of years.

Looks like we have some great films to keep us going through the next year or so. What one are you nost looking forward to? Let me know at twitter.com/ATDazzles