In the Heights » Trivia (Movie)

Jimmy Smits was an early Heights supporter off-Broadway, before the musical was adapted to the screen. When he was asked to do the voiceover for the TV advertisement, he wouldn't accept payment, but he just wanted some house seats for Broadway.

In 2017, Lin-Manuel Miranda announced he would not be playing Usnavi for the film version, however may play another role for the film, whether it's a side character or a cameo role

On November 2008, Universal Pictures announced that they planned to adapt the musical as a feature film for release in 2011. Kenny Ortega was set to direct it, which was slated to begin filming in summer 2011. However, the project was canceled in March 2011, when Universal opted not to produce the In the Heights film. But in January 2012, Lin-Manuel Miranda said the adaptation was back under discussion.

Playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, the original Usnavi, played David Santiago in the TV show Brooklyn Nine Nine. Jimmy Smits played David and Amy's father, Victor Santiago. Olga Merediz was also in Brooklyn Nine Nine and played Rosa Diaz's mother, Julia.

Jon M. Chu drew inspiration from Do the Right Thing (1989) and Annie Hall (1977).

This isnt the first time Anthony Ramos has collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda. Ramos originated the dual roles of John Laurens/Philip Hamilton in Miranda's hit musical Hamilton

Olga Merediz reprises her Tony-nominated role from the musical.

Nina's mom will not be featured in the film

Quiara Alegría Hudes, who wrote the book of the original musical, also wrote this movie's screenplay. Both Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda (who wrote the music and lyrics) have separately won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama: Hudes in 2012 for her play Water by the Spoonful and Miranda in 2016 for the musical Hamilton. They were joint finalists in 2009 for In the Heights but lost to Ruined by Lynn Nottage.

One of the final films of Doreen Montalvo, who passed away before the film's release. Her final film will be West Side Story (2021)

Just days before production started, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes attended a high school production of the play at George Washington Educational Campus in Washington Heights, which Miranda says was the first time the production had actually been performed in its namesake neighborhood. Many of the students who participated in that production were invited to become part of the film production, and are featured numerous times.

According to Lin-Manuel Miranda, the role of the Piragua guy was likely due to be cut since, as Miranda admits, the character contributes little to story, leaving him heartbroken since that subplot is meant to show the grit of small, local businesses. Quiara Alegría Hudes suggested that Miranda play the role to avoid it being cut. Miranda agreed and used the role to pay tribute to his grandfather, who passed away a week after the Broadway production opened in 2008, reflected in his wardrobe, glasses, and even the book he reads.

Cuca, played by Dascha Polanco, does not appear in the original musical. The role was added specifically for the movie.

The swimsuit worn by Vanessa for "96,000" is based on a design by Maria Solange Ferrarini, a Brazilian designer known as "the bikini lady", which was then made the subject of some controversy when it was "reimagined" and brought to national attention by another designer.

Though never explicitly stated, Daniela and Carla are implied to be a romantic couple. They are shown sleeping in the same bed and exchanging kisses, slow dancing at the dinner party, and flirting heavily during "Carnaval de Barrio." Daphne Rubin-Vega confirmed in an interview that she and Beatriz intentionally played their characters as a couple, even if it was never confirmed in the script.