In addition to being moved up 15 months earlier, the film version of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway show is switched to the streaming platform instead of the planned theatrical release.
- May 13, 2020
AceShowbiz - "Hamilton" is getting fast-tracked amid all the uncertainties due to the coronavirus pandemic. Disney has decided to move up the release date of the movie version of the Lin-Manuel Miranda Broadway musical 15 months earlier, from its original October 15, 2021 release date to July 3 of this year. Not only that, but also the movie will skip its planned theatrical release in favor of straight-to-streams on Disney+.
Disney Executive Chairman Robert Iger and creator/original star Miranda appeared on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday, May 12 to announce the decision. Hyping it up on Twitter, Miranda posted a teaser of the film and wrote along with it, "It’s only a matter of time... Our Hamilton film. THIS July 3rd. On Disney+."
He also said in a statement, "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." He continued, "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."
Iger added, "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."
The new date Disney picked for the "Hamilton" film isn't a coincident, as Iger said, "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 "Hamilton" movie is edited together from three performances of Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City in 2016 with the original principal Broadway cast members, combined with a few "setup shots" recorded without audience. Like the stage production, it is directed by Thomas Kail, with Miranda starring in the title role.
