BURBANK (CNS) - Performances of the hit musical “Hamilton” at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood were derailed by the coronavirus, but Disney announced today it will bring the filmed version of the original Broadway production to its streaming service in July.
The film was originally scheduled to debut in theaters late next year, but now it will be released on Disney+ on July 3.
“No other artistic work in the last decade has had the cultural impact of `Hamilton' -- an inspiring and captivating tale told and performed in a powerfully creative way,” Robert Iger, executive chairman of The Walt Disney Co., said in a statement. “In light of the extraordinary challenges facing our world, this story about leadership, tenacity, hope, love and the power of people to unite against the forces of adversity is both relevant and impactful.
“We are thrilled to bring this phenomenon to Disney+ on the eve of Independence Day, and we have the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda and the team behind `Hamilton' to thank for allowing us to do so more than a year before planned.”
Directed by Thomas Kail, the film is described by Disney as “a leap forward in the art of `live capture,' which transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way.” The performance captured in the movie was filmed in June 2016 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway, starring show creator Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson and Renee Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler.
“I'm so proud of how beautifully Tommy Kail has brought `Hamilton' to the screen,” Miranda said. “He's given everyone who watches this film the best seat in the house. I'm so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to July 4th weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down. I'm so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I'm so glad that we're able to make it happen. I'm so proud of this show. I can't wait for you to see it.”
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