Lin-Manuel Miranda Will Direct the Film Version of the Stage Musical ‘Octet’
Lin-Manuel Miranda is set to direct a film adaptation of Dave Malloy’s acclaimed musical Octet, which premiered Off Broadway in 2019. The announcement was made today by Miranda’s 5000 Broadway Productions, highlighting the appointment of Julie Oh as the new Head of Film & TV. Oh will produce Octet alongside John Skidmore of Best Kept Secret Productions and Luis A. Miranda, Jr., President of 5000 Broadway Productions.
Malloy, who is both the writer and composer of the musical, will adapt his original work for the screen and serve as Executive Producer. This project marks Miranda’s second directorial effort following his Academy Award-nominated debut with tick, tick…BOOM!
A cast for Octet will be announced at a later date.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about Octet since I saw Annie Tippe’s premiere production in November of 2019,” Miranda stated. “Dave Malloy’s score is versatile, brilliant and grows more relevant with each passing year. It won’t leave me alone so here we are.”
Malloy expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “I am over the moon that Lin-Manuel is turning Octet into a movie. I was utterly gobsmacked by his work on tick, tick…Boom!, and feel so honored to have such a beacon of the musical theater world bring this piece into a new life. As a brilliant storyteller, fellow internet junkie, and dear friend, I know he’s going to make something amazing. And our cast is completely ridiculous.”
Octet follows the journey of eight internet-obsessed individuals who gather in a church basement, locking their phones away. The characters grapple with digital dependency while exploring their emotions through the “analog vibrancy of their own voices.”
The musical has been lauded for its witty lyrics, shimmering harmonies, and virtuosic solos, addressing themes of connection, redemption, and presence. Malloy was previously nominated for a Tony Award for his 2016 Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
Executive Producers for the Octet film include Johnny Holland, Owen Panettieri, and Diana DiMenna, with financing provided by Sander Jacobs, Caren Jacobs, TodayTix Group, Jeffrey Seller, Teresa Tsai, and John Gore for Broadway.com.
Commenting on Oh’s new role at 5000 Broadway, Miranda noted, “Julie Oh is a masterful producer and creative with a clear vision. Her contributions to tick, tick…BOOM! were essential to its very existence, and I’m looking forward to continuing our collaboration on Octet and with future projects at 5000 Broadway Productions.”
