UPDATE Nov. 7th: The Hollywood Reporter has retracted their original article of two days ago, in which they announced Rita Moreno had been cast in of Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s In The Heights film adaptation of his hit Broadway play by the same name. The Hollywood Reporter put out a statement that they regretted their error in their reporting. Moreno’s camp claims she is just “in talks” with the production.
Anthony Ramos (A Star is Born) remains as the only person to have been in the film In The Heights to date. The Oscar® buzz as best friend to Lady Gaga’s character in A Star Is Born has put him on track to go from Broadway star to film star. On Broadway he has worked with Miranda on both his plays, Hamilton and In The Heights. He played thethe lead role of Usnavi de la Vega of In The Heights and will reprise that role in the film adaptation.The film will be will be directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians).
Although The Hollywood Reporter had been announced that Moreno had been cast as the matriarch, Abuela Claudia and then retracted, on the industry’s “bible” database IMDBPro Moreno is still listed as being cast in the role. THR stated in their retraction:
Warner Bros. is producing the screen version of the Broadway show, for which Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote music and lyrics, and a studio publicist confirmed negotiations were under way when initially contacted by THR. But the studio subsequently said an offer had been extended. It is not clear whether that offer lapsed or was declined. Reps for the actress, who is represented by Innovative Artists, said there is no offer under discussion and no talks or negotiations are taking place
Recently, Moreno’s career has gotten a major boost with her role as Lydia in Gloria Calderon Kellet‘s One Day at a Time on Netflix. However, Moreno is legendary in Hollywood as one of the only 12 people who has won all of the Five major entertainment awards. 2 Emmys (Rockford Files & The Muppet Show), Grammy (The Electric Compay album), Oscar® & Golden Globe (West Side Story), and a Tony (The Ritz) — or an “EGOT” as they are known.
The rights to the film reverted back to Miranda and In the Heights book writer Quiara Alegría Hudes, after bouncing around at Universal, then the Weinstein Company, with the rights ultimately ending up with Warner Bros.
Miranda will producer In The Heights with Anthony Bregman, Mara Jacobs, and Scott Sanders. JZ is also listed as one of the producers
Moreno is repped by Innovative Artist.
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