Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical Hamilton will be released on Disney+ on July 3rd. The musical has won an astonishing 11 Tony awards, a Grammy, and even a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Earlier this year, Disney acquired the rights to Hamilton for an astonishing $75 million. With this addition, Disney+ is continuing to draw subscribers with an ever expanding streaming catalog.
This is a surprising change from the original plans which entailed an October 2021 theatrical release and then a later Disney+ debut. Former Disney CEO Robert Iger and Miranda announced the change in an interview with Good Morning America.
In the interview, Iger stressed the importance of escapism during the pandemic and what Disney is contributing to entertainment:
“Disney is known for telling great stories, and these days people need our stories even more”.
The movie will be a recording of an original Broadway cast performance starring Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, and Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson. The film is set to have a run time of 2 hours and 40 minutes.
With Broadway performances being suspended until at least September 6th, those missing out on the theater experience can soon watch this critically acclaimed musical from the comfort and safety of their own home.
By watching at home, viewers will have the best seat in the house without having to pay a couple hundred dollars per ticket. Tony and Emmy award winning director Tommy Kail filmed and edited together three live performances back before the original cast had their final curtain call- all to make viewers feel like they are actually in the Richard Rodgers Theater.
The release comes just in time for the 4th of July holiday.
