A West End theater producer has explained why a Hamilton movie has yet to happen. Audiences worldwide were captivated by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical when the filmed stage production was released on Disney+ in 2020. The musical, centered around one of America’s founding fathers, was an immediate success on account of Hamilton’s exceptional song composition. Magnificently, Miranda’s stage show earned 11 Tony Awards and, two years later, opened in London’s West End, where it won seven Olivier Awards — the highest honors in British theater. Despite strong public demand for a Hamilton film, the project has not materialized. Before John Johnson’s recent comments on The Town with Matthew Belloni, Lin-Manuel Miranda shared his reservations in response to a Hamilton movie. While the creator addressed how difficult the process is for adapting musicals to film, Johnson suggested Hamilton should be in no rush to hit theaters anytime soon. The producer dispelled any doubts about a theatrical remake but acknowledged “they’re taking their time…” before stating: “I’m sure it’s being discussed. But they certainly are doing just great on Broadway, so there’s no rush” (via Spotify). Check out his comments below:
Johnson: Hamilton is the unicorn of unicorns that needs to be put to the side, because the original cast, the folks who weren’t in the original cast, the nature of how the show has multiplied so quickly and sustained itself over the last 10 years is incredible. […]
Belloni: Why hasn’t there been a Hamilton movie, yet, do you think?
Johnson: I think, similar to the Wicked answer, they’re taking their time… I think they also want to go and do it. The Disney+ capture still is doing extremely well. My kids still watch it all the time! As much is to say that it’s only been 10 years since the show started on Broadway. You look at the nature of the course of Wicked and The Lion King at year 25, and just the nature of what they’ve been able to do there — I’m sure it’s being discussed. But [Hamilton] is certainly doing just great on Broadway, so there’s no rush.
Belloni: I’m sure Universal, or whoever, would give them two-three hundred million dollars to do a big budget, historical, epic musical — two-part, three-part Hamilton. In 20 seconds, they could get that.
Johnson: I’m sure, but again, it’s up to the artists who— The reason they’ve done the show as well it is, is because they were very careful about their journey from the beginning. Through their workshops, through the public run, through when they moved it – it was all very strategic.

The Chances Of A Hamilton Movie Are In The Far Distant Future

A film based on Miranda’s global sensation is a sure thing, but it’s still a distant prospect. While the prolonged wait may be disheartening, no sudden adaptation is the ideal outcome for Hamilton. Rather than rushing a movie adaptation, the creative team is prioritizing the show’s integrity, guaranteeing that any movie will be a meaningful extension of the story and not just a profitable venture. Hamilton’s enduring popularity means an adaptation will surely find an audience whenever it happens, so there needn’t be any worry about the production’s future.
In addition to this, Johnson compared Hamilton to the highly-regarded Wicked franchise. This particular Broadway production ran for 20 years before Jon M. Chu’s adaptation, which saw an immensely successful release, both commercially and critically. This highlights the importance of timing when bringing a musical to the big screen. Hamilton will celebrate its 10-year Broadway debut anniversary on August 6, 2025, meaning a full-length feature may still be over a decade away.
Our Take On Why A Hamilton Movie Has Not Happened

The Lack Of Updates For A Hamilton Movie Is Not Surprising

Given Miranda’s hesitation about a Hamilton movie, the comments from Johnson are not all that surprising. Understandably, developing a stage production for the big screen is an incredibly intricate and complex process, which should certainly not be fast-tracked. It will take years of meticulous planning and extreme precision to ensure Hamilton’s legacy endures, which is a testament to Miranda’s vested interest and passion for his own work. Given Lin-Manuel Miranda’s impeccable track record, there’s no doubt Hamilton is in capable hands, ensuring any adaptation won’t disappoint audiences or critics due to haste or poor execution. Source: Spotify

Hamilton

9/10

Release Date

July 3, 2020

Runtime

160 Minutes

Director

Thomas Kail