Jimmy Smits cast in film adaptation of 'In the Heights'

from EW.com:

Lin-Manuel Miranda announced via Twitter that How to Get Away With Murder‘s Jimmy Smits will also be heading to Washington Heights this summer to play Kevin Rosario in the upcoming movie adaptation of his first Broadway show. He also shared that Olga Merediz will reprise her Broadway role as Abuela Claudia and Gregory Diaz IV will take on the part of Sonny.

Smits, Merediz, and Diaz join the already-cast Anthony Ramos, who will star as bodega owner Usnavi — a role Miranda himself played on Broadway — and Straight Outta Compton‘s Corey Hawkins who will take on the part of Benny. Mexican actress and singer Melissa Barerra was also previously announced as Usnavi’s love interest Vanessa, while Leslie Grace has signed on to play Nina.

Set in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, Miranda’s musical follows the immigrant residents who live and work there, and all the happenings of one hot summer in the barrio. With a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and music and lyrics by Miranda, the stage show won four Tony Awards and a Grammy. Hudes is writing the script for the upcoming movie and Crazy Rich Asians’ Jon M. Chu is on board to direct.