Emmy and Golden Globe winnerJimmy Smitsis nearing a deal to joinAnthony RamosandCorey HawkinsinJon M. Chu’s feature adaptation ofLin-Manuel Miranda’s musicalIn the Heightsfor Warner Bros., Collider has exclusively learned.
In the Heights, which won four Tony Awards, follows a bodega owner names Usnavi (Ramos) who strikes it rich and plans to leave his Latino neighborhood, only to have second thoughts. The film will feature a large ensemble whose storylines come to a head during a blackout one sweltering summer.
Smits will play Kevin, a proud, hardworking businessman and the father of Nina, the film’s female lead, who the neighborhood admires as “the one who made it out.” Sources say Bronx music sensationLeslie Graceis the choice for that role, but her involvement remains unconfirmed at this time. Kevin is also Benny’s boss, and he refuses to accept the young man (Hawkins) as his daughter’s beau.
Anthony Bregman,Mara Jacobs,Scott Sandersand Miranda are producing In the Heights, for whichQuiara Alegría Hudesis writing the script.
Smits is a 12-time Emmy nominee who won forL.A. Lawand took home a Golden Globe forNYPD Blue. He recently starred onHow to Get Away With Murderand played Bail Organa inRogue One: A Star Wars Story. He’s represented by UTA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
Chu and Miranda are both red-hot right now following the success ofCrazy Rich AsiansandHamilton, respectively.In the Heightsis a high-priority project for Warner Bros. and the duo haven’t had any trouble landing their first choices.
