Now that Wicked has become a massive hit in cinemas, many are wondering if this will encourage Hollywood to bring more beloved musicals to the big screen. One musical that’s generating a lot of buzz is Hamilton, which is practically begging for a live-action adaptation.
Hamilton is a phenomenon like no other. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical tells the story of one of America’s founding fathers through a mix of hip-hop, clever lyrics, and catchy beats, all packed into a thrilling 3-hour performance. It’s a spectacle that’s hard to forget—between the rapid-fire rapping and the cast’s ability to seamlessly switch roles, Hamilton has captivated audiences worldwide. It’s the kind of show you can watch over and over without ever tiring of its energy or its emotional punch.
When Hamilton was released on Disney Plus, it was a wonderful gift for fans, allowing people around the world to experience it. However, while the recording captured the sets and the energy of the performance, it left something to be desired in terms of immersion. Sure, you could still marvel at the talent of the cast, but you were constantly aware that you were watching a recording of a live theater show, complete with the audience’s reactions. As impressive as it was, it wasn’t quite the same as actually being there in person.
This is where a Hamilton movie could shine. If talented filmmakers could create a powerful adaptation of Wicked, why not bring Hamilton to the screen in the same way? The idea of a Hamilton film adaptation is clearly on people’s minds, and the director of Wicked, Jon M. Chu, was even asked if he might team up with Miranda to bring Hamilton to life in a cinematic format.
Miranda, however, has said that while the idea is intriguing, there haven’t been any serious discussions about making a Hamilton movie. He expressed his pride in how Tom Kail, who directed the 2020 Disney Plus version, captured the essence of the musical. Miranda believes that anyone in the world can now watch the show, and that’s something special. But, when it comes to making a movie, he feels it would take a truly unique vision from a director to convince him that Hamilton could translate to film. After all, Wicked took 20 years to make it to the big screen, and Hamilton will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year—so Miranda suggests giving it some time.
Ultimately, Miranda is open to the idea, but he hasn’t yet seen a vision for a film that would make it work. Still, the idea of a Hamilton movie remains an exciting possibility for fans.
One of the biggest hurdles in adapting a musical like Hamilton to film is casting the perfect actors. While it’s tempting to cast the original Broadway cast members, performing in front of a camera is a whole different ball game compared to live theater. And, as we saw with the 2012 film Les Misérables, casting theater stars doesn’t always guarantee the best results on screen. Miranda, and many others, would likely prefer to avoid that pitfall when it comes to bringing Hamilton to life in cinemas.