Lin-Manuel Miranda is pairing up with one of music’s greats…
According to Playbill, Jay Z will serve as a co-producer for the film adaptation of the 37-year-old Puerto Rican actor, playwright, composer, rapper and writer’s Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights.
Harvey Weinstein reportedly announced the news at a pre-Oscars party on Sunday.
Last September, Jay Z joined forces with the Weinstein Company for the upcoming Spike TV docuseries TIME: The Kalief Browder Story.
In the Heights was a 2008 Broadway musical that earned a Tony Award for its story about Latino characters growing up in New York City’s Washington Heights. The eclectic film, reportedly directed by Jon M. Chu, is said to feature hip-hop, salsa and merengue, with the screenplay penned by Quiara Alegría Hudes.
In an interview with Variety last September, Miranda revealed that the shooting for the film would take place in the spring. The interview also indicated that the Hamilton star would not return as the play’s central character Usnavi — a Dominican bodega owner. While that might be a letdown for avid fans of the original musical, Miranda said that he would be open to tackle another role for the forthcoming film.
No official comment on the news from Jay Z and Miranda.