Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘Hamilton’ Comes To Disney+ Worldwide In July
Shout it to the rooftops! Disney dropped a surprise announcement this morning that Lin-Manuel Miranda global smash hit multi-award-winning musical ‘Hamilton’ will be coming to their Disney+ streaming service on 3rd July 2020.
Filmed at the Richard Rodgers Theatre with the original Broadway cast, this filmed version of the stage show was originally heading for a theatrical release next year. However, with all the stage theatres and cinemas closed at the moment, Disney decided to bump up the streaming release to July, appropriately, just in time for American Independence Day.
For those of you who have somehow missed the story of the 11-time-Tony Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical, it tells the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, using rap, hip hop, R&B, pop, soul. It follows Hamilton from his immigration to America from Jamaica, through the War Of Independence and the America Civil War, to his rise through the political ranks and the establishment of The United States. It also looks at his private life and his romantic entanglements with the Schuyler sisters.
“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. 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,” commented Robert A. Iger, Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company. “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.”
The film stars Lin-Manuel Miranda in the title role of Alexander Hamilton, along with Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.
The cast also includes Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Hope Easterbrook, Sydney James Harcourt, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Elizabeth Judd, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Seth Stewart and Ephraim Sykes.
This version of ‘Hamilton’ is directed by Tommy Kail, who also directed the stage musical, and is a mix of three live performances, with additional set up shots filmed without the audience. This was also then edited together to allow a cinematic version of the stage show, making sure the audience watching on their screens the best viewing experience possible (other than seeing it live of course!)
“I’m so proud of how beautifully Tommy Kail has brought ‘Hamilton’ to the screen. He’s given everyone who watches this film the best seat in the house,” adds Lin-Manuel Miranda. “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.”
‘Hamilton’ premieres 3rd July 2020 on Disney+ worldwide.
