Variety reports the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights will begin production this spring and released in the summer of 2020, and that Miranda won’t be reprising his leading role as Usnavi but, “filmmakers are hoping to get him into another role, either pre-existing or newly written for the film.” So with that said and much interoffice debate, here’s our dreamcast for the forthcoming In the Heights movie.
Usnavi — Diego Boneta
The Rock of Ages and Scream Queens star knows his way around a movie musical, he has tons of charm, and you want to root for him—with Vanessa, with the lottery, with everything.
"Abuela" Claudia — Rita Moreno
The West Side Story EGOT winner has the cachet to take on this showstopping role on screen. (Though tbh, I wouldn't be mad if Olga Merediz reprised her Tony-nominated performance!)
Vanessa — Naya Rivera
This gorgeous singer best known for her breakout role on Glee is legit the dream Vanessa.
Nina Rosario — Gina Rodriguez
The Jane the Virgin Golden Globe winner graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and studied at Columbia University's Theatrical Collaboration and the Atlantic Theater Company. She's got the chops and the heart to bring Nina to screen.
Benny — Michael B. Jordan
Ok, there's no real evidence the Fruitvale Station, Creed, Parenthood star could sing it, but that's not stopping us from secreting this casting.
Sonny — Luis Coronel
The 20-year-old singer, who won the "New Artist of the Year" award at the Latin Billboard Music Awards in 2014, has the age and energy to play Usnavi's adorable younger cousin.
Daniela — Sofia Vergara
There are so many actresses who could steal the show with this fantastic role, but the Modern Family Emmy nominee and Chicago musical alum just feels the most ideal.
Carla — Jackie Cruz
The actress (best known as Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales on the Netflix's Orange Is the New Black) has the comic timing and the pipes necessary to bring this lovable sidekick to the screen.
Kevin Rosario — Antonio Banderes
The Nine Tony nominee and Evita film star would be perfect for the role of Nina's father, a local business owner who faces an incredibly tough decision.
Camila Rosario — Gloria Estefan
Just imagine this Grammy-winning icon performing "Enough" or the new song Lin writes for her big confrontation with Kevin and Nina.
The Piragua Guy — Lin-Manuel Miranda
Variety said Lin won't be returning as Usnavi, so this role is smaller but he still gets a great song, it's fun AF, and it would be a delight for fans.
Graffiti Pete — Harry Shum Jr.
You can't deny, the Glee star has got the moves to make this role just as memorable on screen as it was in the musical.
