‘Hamilton’ May Be Headed to the Movies

Calling @OldCatLady!

From WSJ and elsewhere:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/hamilton-may-be-headed-to-the-movies-1532450232

Bidding may exceed $50 million for recording of stage musical made in 2016

“Hamilton” may be coming to movie theaters, exactly as audiences saw it on Broadway.

Hollywood studios are currently bidding for the big-screen rights to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical about founding father Alexander Hamilton, according to people involved in sales talks. But in an unusual twist, the “Hamilton” movie won’t be a filmed adaptation. Instead, it is a recording of the show made in 2016 with its original cast, including Mr. Miranda in the lead role.

The world-wide theatrical rights for “Hamilton” could sell for more than $50 million, two of the people with knowledge of the deal talks said. Representatives for the production have recently screened the recording for interested buyers.

(That’s the opening of this article)

…

But studios are betting “Hamilton” may be a special case. A massive hit and a cultural phenomenon, it has grossed nearly $400 million in New York since opening in 2015, according to Broadway World. It has won 11 Tony Awards, including best musical, as well as a Grammy and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It has long played to packed houses on Broadway, despite an average ticket price of $229, and plays in Chicago and London. A U.S. tour began last year.

…

According to some reports, massive multi-camera film-production-quality recordings have already been made in 2016, of the existing NYC stage show, on successive nights.

Netflix and Amazon are rumored to be interested in the rights, as well are traditional film production and distribution companies.

If this filmed stage musical came to the big screen near me, I guess I’d happily go see it.

I would also go see a film-theater presentation of this musical, broadcast live.

(Tony awards perfo