The forthcoming movie adaptation of Lin Manuel Miranda's In The Heights will premiere online next year, it has been announced.
Originally due to be released earlier this year, the film now has a release date of June 28th 2021. It will now premiere in America on HBO Max at the same time as a cinema release. Distributor Warner Bros. have decided to do this for all of their movies due to be released in 2021 due to the uncertainty of when cinemas are able to open. There is no word on the UK release as yet but it is yet to follow a similar pattern and be available to stream immediately, as was the case with recent Warner Bros. movie The Witches.
Warner Bros. CEO said “We’re living in unprecedented times which call for creative solutions, including this new initiative for the Warner Bros. Pictures Group. No one wants films back on the big screen more than we do. We know new content is the lifeblood of theatrical exhibition, but we have to balance this with the reality that most theaters in the U.S. will likely operate at reduced capacity throughout 2021.”
This is the only musical title on Warner Bros. line -up which also includes major films such as Wonder Woman 1984, which premieres online on Christmas Day. With such a big player changing the normal release pattern like this, it could lead to others following suit. With musicals West SIde Story and Everybody's Talking About Jamie due to be released next year, don't be surprised if they follow suit.
Lin Manuel Miranda has also just completed production on Jonathan Larsson's Tick, Tick... Boom! which is due to be released on Netflix in 2021.
Here is the trailer for In The Heights: