In The Heights features an Easter egg from Hamilton (Photo: Warner Bros.)
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s latest film, In The Heights, just happens to feature the sneaky Easter egg of his Broadway, Hamilton production.
The adaptation of the director’s first musical film was recently released in theaters and on HBO Max in the US, and it didn’t take long for fans to discover the hidden reference.
The film, which follows a similar plot to the original musical, focuses on the Washington Heights area of New York City, where each member of the community pursues their dream of a better life.
About half an hour into the show, the scene shows businessman Kevin Rosario (Jimmy Smits) trying to reach the Stanford financial office by phone to see if he still has time to pay his daughter Nina (Leslie Grace) education fees. The deadline has passed.
While waiting, we hear a small snippet of the suspended music you’re listening to, which has a melody identical to the Hamilton song I’ll Return, performed by King George.
Movie viewers loved the subtle nod to the critically acclaimed music, tweeting, “I especially enjoyed this little Hamilton reference in #InTheHeights,” sharing a clip from the scene in question.
Oh my goodness, Hamilton just found an Easter egg in ‘In the Highlands! Another wrote. While Nina’s dad was hanging on the phone, the music from the elevator was “You’ll be back.”
A tune identical to Hamilton’s song, I’ll Be Back, is played while the music is carried on the phone in the selected scene (Photo: Warner Bros.)
While one fan added ecstasy: “I’ll be back as music on the phone, OMG, Hamilton’s sign in In The Heights Lin, genius.”
In The Heights, director John M. Choo recently confirmed that this Easter egg was Lin Manuel’s idea.
He told TheWrap: “This was actually Lynn’s idea, and we wanted to turn it into a version of Muzak.
Oh my goodness, Hamilton just found an Easter egg in In the Highlands. While Nina’s father is hanging on the phone, elevator music plays “You???? I’ll be back»????d????
– Amy (they/they) (@TheKillerQueen) June 10, 2021
You are ???? LL BE RETURNS INSTRUMENTAL LIKE MAINTENANCE MUSIC OMG HAMILTON R. RENCIA IN THE HEIGHTS LIN YOU GENIUS
– Sarahð??? ¹ (@nonstopdunphy) Jun 11, 2021
I loved the Easter Egg using a soft arrangement of King George’s music from “Hamilton” as a fixed music on “In the Heights” ð?????
– Robert Komaniecki (@Komaniecki_R) on June 12, 2021
I’m looking at the heights, oh my goodness, the scene where Nina’s dad is waiting with Stanford, they don’t wear it. I’ll be back from Hamilton as music suspended.
– Tiffany ð????? (@marehtiffanyy) Jun 10, 2021
They don’t use Hamilton’s song as a high pj music ð????? Dr ?????? Light
— Renee (@willemdafolk) Jun 12, 2021
Everything is part of the Lin-ematic universe.
This isn’t Hamilton’s only In The Heights link, as Anthony Ramos, who starred in the original Broadway cast, plays Usnavi in the film.
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Lin Manuel himself even makes a cameo in one scene, where he takes on the role of the boatman.
Another Hamilton star, Christopher Jackson, also made a brief appearance, as Mr. Softy the truck driver.
More: US Showbiz News
Other cast in the film include Corey Hawkins as Penny, Melissa Barra as Vanessa Morales, and Olga Meredes as Abuela Claudia.
In The Heights will hit theaters in the UK on June 25.
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