Moviefone Editorial

Tag: lin-manuel miranda

  • ‘His Dark Materials’ Series Is Now Filming, With Full Cast Revealed

    ‘His Dark Materials’ Series Is Now Filming, With Full Cast Revealed

    The Golden Compass
    New Line Cinema

    “His Dark Materials” is now filming in Cardiff, Wales. According to Deadline, this series adaptation of Philip Pullman’s fantasy novels is “thought to be one of the most expensive British dramas to date.”

    The full cast was just revealed, adding more names to the already impressive lineup led by James McAvoy, Dafne Keen, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

    Here’s a description of the characters and cast, via the BBC:

    “Dafne Keen takes on the lead role of Lyra, the young protagonist of the story who lives in Jordan College, Oxford. Placed there at the request of her Uncle, Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) she lives a sheltered life amongst the scholars and college staff while under the watchful protection of The Master (Clarke Peters) and Librarian Scholar Charles (Ian Gelder).

    When the glamorous and mesmeric Mrs Coulter (Ruth Wilson) enters Lyra’s life she embarks upon a dangerous journey of discovery from Oxford to London. Here she meets Father MacPhail (Will Keen), Lord Boreal (Ariyon Bakare) and journalist Adele Starminster (Georgina Campbell) at a glittering society party where she first hears about the sinister General Oblation Board.

    Lyra is subsequently thrown into the nomadic world of the boat dwelling Gyptians – Ma Costa (Anne-Marie Duff), Farder Coram (James Cosmo), John Faa (Lucien Msamati), Raymond Van Geritt (Mat Fraser), Jack Verhoeven (Geoff Bell) and Benjamin de Ruyter (Simon Manyonda) who take her North in her quest.

    Once in the North she meets charismatic aeronaut and adventurer Lee Scoresby (Lin-Manuel Miranda) who joins them on their epic journey and who becomes one of Lyra’s closest allies.”

    The series was written by Jack Thorne (“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”), withJoel Collins (“Black Mirror”) as prroduction designer.

    Here’s a statement from Jack Thorne:

    “His Dark Materials are the most beautiful set of books, taking us into a world of constant imagination. Reading them I was a massive fan, in adapting them I’ve increasingly felt in awe of them. It’s the constant invention, the way the story never sits still, and that the characters constantly surprise you. It’s been a joy being part of a creative team for this; from Tom’s incredible analytic mind and amazing eye, to Joel’s beautiful world building, to everyone else involved. And then there’s the cast, which has proved to be the cast of dreams, we are so lucky to have been able to entice them in.”

    In terms of international broadcast — i.e., how we can eventually watch this in the U.S. — Deadline said Apple and Netflix are among the suitors for global rights. Stay tuned on how that’s resolved. But so far it sounds like a streamer is going to end up with it.

    The first novel in “His Dark Materials” — “Northern Lights” — was not-so-successfully adapted in the 2007 film “The Golden Compass,” which diluted many key themes of the story. Fans are hoping this more expansive series will retain the author’s original vision.

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

  • Sam Rockwell & Michelle Williams to Star in New FX Series on Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon

    Sam Rockwell & Michelle Williams to Star in New FX Series on Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon

    Michelle Williams, Sam Rockwell
    20th Century Fox/Fox Searchlight

    Jazz hands, baby!

    FX has ordered an eight-episode series on the romantic and creative partnership between legendary choreographer/director Bob Fosse and legendary Broadway dancer Gwen Verdon.

    Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams will play Fosse and Verdon. Lin-Manuel Miranda is one of the executive producers.

    You should be more excited about this, even if you’re already into it. This is the real “La La Land.”

    According to Variety, Steven Levenson will serve as showrunner. He wrote the premiere episode, which is being directed by fellow executive producer Thomas Kail. Nicole Fosse, daughter of Fosse and Verdon, also serves as a co-executive producer.

    Here’s the show synopsis (via Collider):

    “Based on ‘Fosse,’ the biography written by Sam Wasson, this eight-part limited series tells the story of the singular romantic and creative partnership between Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. He was a visionary filmmaker and one of theater’s most influential choreographers and directors, she was the greatest Broadway dancer of all time. Together they changed the face of American entertainment – at a perilous cost. Featuring Fosse’s choreography, the series explores the hidden corners of show business, the price of pursuing greatness, and the suffering inflicted in the name of art.”

    And now for some statements…

    Nick Grad, co-president of original programming for FX Networks and FX Productions:

    “We are over the moon about this dream team we’ve assembled for this incredible series. Tommy, Steven, and Lin are the perfect team to tell the story of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, and we’re so thrilled to have Sam and Michelle playing these iconic roles.”

    Levenson, Kail, and Miranda in a joint statement:

    “Bob Fosse ignited a revolution in American dance, theater, and film. But, in contrast to the well-worn myth of the visionary artist working in solitude, Fosse’s work would not have been possible without Gwen Verdon, the woman who helped to mold his style – and make him a star. We are honored to work with the incredible team at FX and Fox 21, and these two extraordinary actors, to tell the story of this remarkable couple, and the complicated, fascinating relationship between them.”

    Production starts this fall, with the series set to premiere on FX in 2019.

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

  • Lin-Manuel Miranda to Make Directorial Debut With ‘Tick, Tick…Boom!’

    Walt Disney Studios

    Singer-writer-actor Lin-Manuel Miranda is about to add another hyphenate: Director.

    After dabbling in Disney with work on films like “Moana” and “Mary Poppins Returns,” Miranda is returning to his Broadway roots, making his feature directorial debut on an adaptation of musical “Tick, Tick…Boom!” Deadline reports that in addition to helming the flick, Miranda will also produce, alongside Hollywood bigwigs Ron Howard and Brian Grazer.

    “Tick, Tick…Boom!” is the debut autobiographical musical of the late “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson. Here’s a breakdown of the show’s plot, per Deadline:

    Set in 1990, Tick, Tick…Boom! tells the story of Jon, an aspiring theater composer who is waiting tables in New York City while writing Superbia – which he hopes will be the next great American musical and finally give him his big break. Jon is also feeling pressure from his girlfriend Susan, who is tired of continuing to put her life on hold for Jon’s career aspirations. Meanwhile, his best friend and roommate Michael, has given up on his creative aspirations for a high paying advertising job on Madison Avenue and is about to move out. As Jon approaches his 30th birthday, he is overcome with anxiety – wondering if his dream is worth the cost.

    In addition to Miranda, Howard, and Grazer, Larson’s sister, Julie will also produce the movie. And the impressive creative team doesn’t end there: Steven Levenson, who penned the Tony-winning book to recent smash “Dear Evan Hanson,” will be writing the screenplay.

    Miranda, who once starred in an Off-Broadway production of “Tick, Tick…Boom!,” said in a statement to Deadline that the show “solidified that drive in me to hone my own voice as a playwright.”

    His statement continued:

    “On stage, playing the role of ‘Jon’ in 2014 was one of my most honored achievements. To now have the opportunity to make my film directorial debut, in collaboration with the Larson Family and this incredible creative team, and to adapt a work I love so deeply, is a humbling privilege. Together, we aim to honor Jonathan’s legacy and continue to position his work to inspire the next generation of storytellers.”

    No word yet on when “Tick, Tick…Boom!” night hit theaters. Next up for Miranda is another project close to his Broadway beginnings: A big screen adaptation of his debut musical, “In the Heights.”

    [via: Deadline]

  • Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘In the Heights’ Lands 2020 Release Date

    After floundering in development limbo for years, the big screen adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s debut musical, “In the Heights,” finally has a release date.

    The high-profile flick is set to hit theaters on June 26, 2020. Director John M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Now You See Me 2”) will helm the feature.

    “In the Heights” tells the story of a young bodega owner who’s trying to decide between returning to his native Dominican Republic, or remaining in his Washington Heights neighborhood in New York City. The show, which starred Miranda, won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, paving the way for the actor-writer’s future successes.

    At the time, the show was a hot property to transition to the big screen, but its development was plagued by behind the scenes drama. A version from Universal was scrapped back in 2011, reportedly over budgetary concerns, and the most recent attempt to adapt it was mounted by The Weinstein Company back in 2016 — and as we all know, that company no longer exists, after the fallout from producer Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassment and assault scandal, and now, impending trial.

    Thankfully, Warner Bros. swooped in to save “In the Heights,” putting the film back on track. It’s still unclear what the plan is for the movie’s cast, since Miranda is now a full decade older than his young “Heights” protagonist. Perhaps he’ll leave the lead to a new star, while appearing in a cameo.

    Either way, we’re eager to see this film finally hit theaters. Stay tuned.

    [via: The Hollywood Reporter]

  • Lin-Manuel Miranda and Wife Vanessa Nadal Expecting Second Child, and Their Son’s Reaction Is Hilarious

    Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017 - LondonThe Ham Fam is growing: Lin-Manuel Miranda revealed that he and wife Vanessa Nadal are expecting their second child.

    The performer made the announcement on the sly on social media over the weekend, sharing a photo from the red carpet of the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards, which he attended alongside Nadal. Miranda added a not-so-subtle emoji to direct fans to take a closer look at his wife, who appeared to be sporting a growing baby bump in the image.

    One of the “Hamilton” star’s followers responded by asking if Nadal was indeed pregnant, to which Miranda had a hilarious, succinct reply.

    “Oh hell yeah,” the performer wrote.

    The couple, who wed in 2010, already has a 3-year-old son, Sebastian. And according to Miranda, the little guy can’t wait to be a big brother.

    “He is so impatient for it,” Miranda said in response to a fan query about Sebastian’s excitement. “Once, mid-tantrum, he cried, “When is mommy gonna HAAAATCH…”

    “When is mommy gonna hatch” might be the funniest/cutest sibling-to-be question we’ve ever heard. Miranda declined to reveal when Nadal is due, though, so it looks like we’ll be not-so-patiently waiting along with Sebastian for more Baby #2 news.

    Congrats to the soon-to-be family of four!

    [via: Twitter]

  • First Look Photos of ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ Are Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

    EE British Academy Film Awards - Red Carpet ArrivalsNo need for a spoonful of sugar to make these images from “Mary Poppins Returns” go down!

    Entertainment Weekly debuted first look photos and concept art from the sequel to the 1964 classic. The magazine’s cover features Emily Blunt as the new Mary, the supernaturally capable nanny made famous by Julie Andrews.

    The sequel is based on P.L. Travers’ eight-book series (the original movie was loosely based on the first two). Mary returns to London 25 years later, during the country’s 1930s economic crisis, and finds her former charge, Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw), all grown up with three children of his own. When tragedy strikes, Mary has to lift them out of their gloom with song and dance, assisted by lamplighter Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda).

    Here are more photos from EW ….

    Jack, the three Banks children — Annabel (Pixie Davies), Georgie (Joel Dawson), and John (Nathanael Saleh) — and Mary in the rousing musical number “Trip a Little Light Fantastic”:

    Mary Poppins Returns

    Jane Banks (Emily Mortimer), Michael, Georgie, and John welcome Mary:

    Mary Poppins Return (2018) L to R: Emily Mortimer, Ben Whishaw, TK, TK and Emily Nlunt ANY ADDITIONAL USAGE SHOULD BE CLEARED WITH DISNEY

    Jack leads his fellow lamplighters through the streets of London:

    Mary Poppins Return (2018) Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt ANY ADDITIONAL USAGE SHOULD BE CLEARED WITH DISNEY

    The cast rehearses their musical numbers:

    Mary Poppins Returns (2018) Rehearsal shot L-R: L to R: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Emily Blunt, Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh?, TK, TK, and Meryl Streep ANY ADDITIONAL USAGE SHOULD BE CLEARED WITH DISNEY

    “Mary Poppins Returns” opens in theaters Dec. 18, 2018.

  • What the Oscars 2017 Nominees Revealed to Made in Hollywood

    nominees

    They never dared to even think about getting an Oscar. But the stars, filmmakers and musicians who heard their names announced Tuesday as Oscars 2017 nominees all knew deep down they were onto something special with their films. Over the last year, these Academy Award-caliber artists revealed the behind-the-screen details to Made in Hollywood. Here are the highlights.

    Denzel Washington, Fences

    Nominated for Best Actor, Denzel Washington also directed the adaptation of the August Wilson play, which costarred Best Supporting Actress nominee Viola Davis. It was material Washington and Davis knew well, both having appeared in the play on Broadway.

    “August Wilson wrote a masterpiece that touches you wherever you’re vulnerable spot is,” Washington tells Made in Hollywood reporter Patrick Stinson. “For some you’re the son in that play, in that movie. For some you’re the father. For some you’re the wife. For some, you’re the daughter. There’s something there for everyone. We’ve all seen something like this in our live and had to deal with it.”

    Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, La La Land

    To recapture the magic of Hollywood’s classic musicals, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone had to hone their dancing and singing skills along with the acting chops that earned them Best Actor and Actress nods. “La La Land” tied a record with 14 nominations, and the stars credit Oscar-nominated director Damien Chazelle.

    “He really wanted to make a film that you wanted to go to theater to see and not just watch on your iPhone,” Gosling tells Made in Hollywood reporter Julie Harkness Arnold. “When I read this, I thought he really has a shot at making something like what he was talking about the night that I met him. Then I heard the music. Then it was an opportunity to work with Emma again. It all just sort of started snowballing.”

    Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures

    “Hidden Figures” was more than a movie, it was history revealed. The story of three brilliant African-American women whose work for NASA helped made America’s space program soar, “Hidden Figures” earned nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actress for Octavia Spencer.

    “You have three unsung heroes, and if you look at all of the archival footage from NASA you never would have known that women were directly involved,” Spencer tells Made in Hollywood reporter Kylie Erica Mar. “For me, I don’t want another day to go by when people don’t utter the names Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson.”

    Mel Gibson and Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge

    “Hacksaw Ridge” marks a comeback film for Best Director nominee Mel Gibson and delivers a first-time Best Actor nomination for Andrew Garfield. Also nominated for Best Picture, the movie tells the story of a conscientious objector thrown into battle during World War II.

    “He believed in something greater than himself, and he was willing to sacrifice his own life for his brothers, and this is the greatest act of love anyone can do,” says Gibson. “In the midst of hell, where most men are becoming animals, he was honing this aspect of himself and doing glorious things, and saving lives. He was life-affirming in the midst of death. It’s kind of a cool story.”

    Lin-Manuel Miranda, Moana

    The creator of the Broadway sensation “Hamilton” is one step closer to earning the acclaimed “EGOT” — Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony. He’s already got the “E,” “G” and “T.” Now Lin-Manuel Miranda just needs the “O” following his nomination for Best Original Song for “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana,” the story of a heroic young girl that resonated with Miranda.

    “I think the thing I share with Moana, the character, is that I feel like I had a voice in me being like: I want to make stuff,” he says. “I didn’t know whether it was cartoons or movies or musicals. But I wanted to make stuff. And when you’re 16 the gulf between what you want to do and where you are feels impossible. And I feel like Moana is in the same place at the start of the movie.”

    20083487 20086193 20075898 20086208

  • Hear Dwayne Johnson’s Maui Sing in New ‘Moana’ Clip

    Disney’s latest animated musical, “Moana,” is set to hit theaters next month, and a new clip featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s character, demigod Maui, singing his breakout tune is sure to make audiences even more eager to see the flick.

    Johnson debuted the song on his Instagram account, where he revealed that he collaborated on the track with none other than “Hamilton” mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda (who’s co-writing the movie’s songs along with composer Mark Mancina and Pacific songwriter Opetaia Foa’i). According to Entertainment Weekly, it’s the first song Maui sings in the movie, as he introduces himself to Moana (voiced by newcomer Auli’i Cravalho), and as the name of the track (“You’re Welcome”) implies, the demigod is all too happy to explain to the young woman why she should be grateful for his help.


    The tune serves two main purposes, both helping to fill in some backstory for the character, while also setting up his and Moana’s dynamic going forward: The South Pacific princess is skeptical of the demigod’s bluster, to say the least, and can more than hold her own alongside his formidable presence. And it helps that the song already seems to fit in so well alongside other classics from the Disney vault, catchy and humorous in equal measure.

    Based on this first listen, we’re excited to hear more from the “Moana” songwriting team. The flick hits theaters on November 23.

    [via: The Rock, h/t Entertainment Weekly]

    Photo credit: Disney

  • Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda Set to Host ‘Saturday Night Live’

    Emily Blunt Lin Manuel Miranda“Saturday Night Live” is continuing its streak of first-time hosts.

    The late night sketch show’s 42nd season debuts this weekend with “Suicide Squad” actress Margot Robbie as host. And now, “SNL” is bringing on Emily Blunt and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda for the next two episodes. Miranda will step onto Studio 8H on October 8 with musical guest Twenty One Pilots, while the “Girl on the Train” star takes the stage on October 15.

    Season 42 sees the addition of three new cast members — Mikey Day, Alex Moffat and Melissa Villaseñor — after the departure of veterans Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah.

    It’s a funny coincidence that Miranda and Blunt are hosting “SNL” back-to-back, since they will be co-starring in the upcoming sequel to “Mary Poppins.”

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.

  • Lin-Manuel Miranda Used The Rock’s WWE Days as ‘Moana’ Inspiration

    The Rock WWE
    Lin-Manuel Miranda smelled what the Rock was cooking — and wrote it into the music for Disney’s “Moana”!

    The “Hamilton” creator is writing songs for the upcoming animated movie, which stars Dwayne Johnson as a tattooed demigod who teams up with a young girl on a magical quest. Miranda revealed to Entertainment Weekly that he got inspiration from Johnson’s days in pro wrestling.

    “He really sings, and he sings really well. The only thing I had to prep me, because I wrote his big tune, was there was a while in the WWE when he was a bad guy, and he’d go into town and he’d pull out a guitar and he’d sing about how much he hated the town he was in just to get everyone to boo,” he said.

    “So I watched this supercut on YouTube of him being like, [sings, mimics strumming a guitar] ‘Can’t wait to get out of Chicago, it’s the worst’ and they’re all going ‘Boo!’ So I was like, ‘Okay, that’s his vocal range,’ and I wrote within that.”

    But MIranda didn’t necessarily write songs for “The Rock” — Johnson himself was inspiring to the Tony winner.

    “He’s got such a presence and personality that I really wrote to that, and it’s a lot of fun to write to.”

    “Moana” opens in theaters November 23.

    Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.