In the Heights 2021

In the Heights is a 2021 American musical drama film directed by Jon M. Chu and written by Quiara Alegría Hudes, based on her and Lin-Manuel Miranda's 2005 stage musical. It stars Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace (in her film debut), Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, and Jimmy Smits. Like the musical, the film is set in the predominantly Dominican community of Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan in New York City, and follows various residents as they pursue their sueñitos (little dreams) for a better life. In the Heights was originally set to be adapted by Universal Pictures in 2008, with Kenny Ortega hired to direct. After that version fell through, the project was eventually started back up in 2016, with Chu set to direct and Ramos being cast in October 2018. The rest of the cast joined in April 2019, and filming took place around New York City that summer. Originally intended to be released in 2020, In the Heights was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.