Here’s our first look, via Vanity Fair, at Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Octet,” the upcoming film adaptation of Dave Malloy’s acclaimed Off-Broadway musical, with the entire cast front and center.
Rachel Zegler and Amanda Seyfried lead “Octet,” which recently wrapped production. The ensemble cast also includes Sheryl Lee Ralph, Philippa Soo, Jonathan Groff, Gaten Matarazzo, Paul Jordan Jansen, and Tramell Tillman.
“Octet” is an a cappella musical centered on eight internet-addicted strangers who meet in a church basement, lock their phones in a box, and share their struggles with digital dependency. The show premiered Off-Broadway in 2019 and won numerous awards. Composer and lyricist Dave Malloy adapted his own musical for the screen.
Miranda tells Vanity Fair that “Octet” was independently financed and that he is currently seeking a distributor for the film. He became determined to adapt the show after his wife, Vanessa Nadal—who famously dislikes most musicals—called it the best musical she had ever seen.
The film expands the stage musical’s intimate setting by visually bringing its characters’ digital obsessions to life while preserving the live vocal performances, many of which were recorded on set. Miranda describes the project as deeply personal, saying the film explores the internet as a haunting, ever-present force.
“Octet” marks Miranda’s second feature as a director. The creator of “Hamilton” and “In the Heights” made his feature directorial debut with 2021’s “tick, tick… BOOM!,” starring Andrew Garfield.
“Octet” currently has no confirmed release date or distributor. The plan appears to be to secure U.S. distribution and target a 2027 theatrical release.
