Disney pays eye-watering sum for Hamilton film with original Broadway cast

The acclaimed historical musical is set to hit cinemas in 2021

Disney will bring the beloved musical Hamilton to cinemas next year, it has been announced, in a deal reportedly worth $75m (£58m).

Filmed in New York’s Richard Rodgers Theatre in 2016 over the course of three performances, the film will feature the original Broadway cast.

Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton tells the true story of the American revolution and the invention of the US banking system, seen through the eyes of ambitious politician Alexander Hamilton.

In the musical’s original run, the role of Hamilton was filled by Miranda himself. Other cast-members included Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr and Phillippa Soo.

“You all have that friend that is like, ‘I saw it with the original cast’”, said Miranda in an interview with Variety. “We’re stealing that brag from everyone because you’re all going to see it with the original cast.”

The show first won acclaim for its fusion of hip-hop and pop showtunes, its racially diverse casting, and its educational merit. Hamilton transferred to London’s West End in 2017, earning even more plaudits.

The film will be released in cinemas on 15 October 2021.