<P> On November 2008, Universal Pictures announced that they had acquired the rights to adapt the musical as a feature film for release in 2011 . Kenny Ortega was set to direct it . However, Universal opted not to develop the film, and the project was canceled . In January 2012, Lin - Manuel Miranda said the adaptation was back under discussion . </P> <P> In May 2016, it was announced that The Weinstein Company would distribute the film . The following month, it was reported that Jon M. Chu was in talks to be the director . In September 2016, Chu was confirmed to direct, with production potentially beginning in spring 2017 . Lin - Manuel Miranda will not return as Usnavi, the role he originated, but may return in another role . Businessman and rapper Jay Z will produce the film . </P> <P> In October 2017, Hudes, the writer of the book of the musical, said that she had asked The Weinstein Company to permit her to take the production elsewhere, in light of the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations . In April 2018, the film rights reverted to Miranda and Hudes . </P> <P> On May 27, 2009, PBS' Great Performances aired an episode entitled In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams . It documents the journey taken by the cast and crew to bring the show to Broadway and to later win the Tony Award for Best Musical . Producer Andrew Fried and director Paul Bozymowski captured footage of the cast and creative team for over two years, from the Off - Broadway production to their Tony Award wins . The special previewed at the Paley Center for Media in New York on May 4, 2009 . </P>

Who owns the rights to in the heights