After the success of Wicked & Moana 2, Lin-Manuel Miranda's next musical is set to be his take on a '70s cult classic

After the box office success of musicals such as Evil and Moana 2Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical collaboration with Eisa Davis on a remix of The Warriors should be Miranda's next film adaptation. 2024 has been a good time for musical films, with many hits on the big screen. Even beyond the historic heights of Evil and Moana 2films as diverse as Emilia Pérez, Fascinated, Mean Girls, Joker: Folie à Deux, The endand Mufasa: The Lion King highlight how versatile and varied the genre has proven to be in modern cinema.

This leaves the door open for many more major musical adaptations, with other musical films set to make their mark at the box office. However, one of the more interesting prospects that currently doesn't have a film planned actually has an established cinematic history. Lin-Manuel Miranda's 2024 musical collaboration with Eisa Davis reimagines the 1979 film as a concept album that's reportedly headed to the stage. However, the visual elements and chaotic scope of the story, combined with the lasting strength and influence of the original, make it ideal for a new film adaptation.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's Warriors remix deserves a movie

Warriors It's a compelling reimagining of a cinematic cult classic

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis' reimagining of The Warriors it's a great concept album and could serve as the soundtrack to a fantastic modern remix of the original cult classic if it made it to the big screen. Launched in October 2024, the Warriors Concept album reimagines Walter Hill's 1979 film The Warriors like a hip-hop themed musical in line with Miranda's previous musical works In the heights or Hamilton. Both plots focus on the titular street gang, one of seemingly countless New York City groups brought together by the powerful ganglord Cyrus.

Cyrus argues that the gangs should unite into a force that could fully control the city, only for the bloodthirsty Luther to murder Cyrus in cold blood. Blaming the Warriors for his actions, Luther manages to turn the entire town against the Warriors as they fight to return to their home in Coney Island. However, the musical take on the premise embraces new elements, including a gender change for the main characters and modern tweaks to the gangs they face throughout the story. The musical is a vivid recreation that practically begs for a visual remake as a film.

The stars of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Warriors remix would be amazing in a movie

WarriorsCast features stage stars and hip-hop legends

Warriors boasts an impressive cast in the lead roles and beyondsuggesting that a full film adaptation could attract some big names from the music and film worlds. The Warriors themselves include several performers who have worked with Miranda before on Hamilton, including Sasha Hutchings as Cowgirl and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Swan. Other musicians lend their unique touches to the Warriors. Notably, the concept album features many notable actors and musicians in supporting roles, effectively fleshing out the world.

Kim Dracula's rock sensibility makes him a natural choice for the unpredictable Luther, while Colman Domingo, Billy Porter, Marc Anthony, Joshua Henry and Utkarsh Ambudkar lead their respective gangs with plenty of personality despite their relatively smaller focus. Lauryn Hill brings a surprising warmth to Cyrus, making her fate all the more harrowing and effective. Other figures in history are played by legendary rappers like Busta Rhymes, Cam'ron, Nas, Chris Rivers, Ghostface Killah and RZA. If a potential film could recreate the concept album's cast, it would be a strong, star-studded version of the premise.

The Warriors remixes a cult classic for the modern day

Warriors Brings a lot of modern energy to the cult classic

What it does Warriors An interesting reimagining of the original film is the way it remixes various elements for modern sensibilities. Turning the titular group (as well as Cyrus) into women gives the story a strong subtext as they fight their way back to Coney Island through a diverse series of male-dominated groups. The concept album also introduces a more overtly LGBT subtext to the story.y, keeping Swan's main love interest, Mercy, female, while also giving the latter character more agency and motivation to remain at the center of the plot.

The story reimagines the police less as an oppressive organization and more as a force of nature, reflecting modern views on over-policing in cities. All of these modern elements fit perfectly into the very similar narrative, which follows the Warriors as they make their way through New York and fight to get home, even losing party members along the way. The musical features many moments that require chaotic visuals that reflect different modern and retro styles, such as the aftermath of Cleon's death or the gang's encounters with the Baseball Furies and the Bizzies.

Wicked & Moana's success could open doors for Warriors

Many Modern Hits Prove Audiences Want More Female-Led Musicals

2024 Box Office Proved Female-Led Musicals Can Lead to Impressive Results. Evil and Moana 2The film's record-breaking box office highlights that audiences for musicals are strong. Musicals that directly address social issues such as Emilia Pérez have received award nominations, highlighting how they can explore deeper issues in modern culture. Even other remixes like Mean Girls managed to attract huge success, highlighting how there is a need for this type of project. Warriors it would be an ideal way to join those ranks with a greater emphasis on hip-hop while still maintaining their Broadway roots.

Although Mirana expressed hesitation about doing Warriors a film (as reported by NPR), there are plans to take the concept album to the stage. As reported by Broadway WorldMiranda confirmed that he and Davis plan to bring the musical to the theater. The scale of the project makes it ideal for a film adaptationbringing a grungy yet colorful version of New York City to life. Warriors it has more than enough action, romance, and thrills to justify a feature-length film version, and could fully reintroduce one of Hollywood's best cult classics to modern audiences.

Forty-five years later, The Warriors is still relevant (and Lin-Maneul proves it)

The Warriors It's an enduring story that begs for modern reimaginings

The Warriors is a beloved cult classic for a reasonwith its influence still felt directly in films such as John Wick: Chapter 4 and shows how What we do in the shadows. It's brave without feeling humorless, filled with bizarre little touches that never detract from the story's dangerous elements. Even nameless secondary characters are compelling, while the core group dynamics work well together. The film's themes of finding community amid chaos and fighting against the odds of an entire world feel particularly resonant in the modern day.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis have composed a stunning modern riff on the classic storyitself a remake of a Greek novel and historical text that highlights the universal power of story. Exploring it from the musical's inherently fresh perspective as a female-centered street story could make for a compelling modern epic. A film adaptation would be the perfect way to showcase the scope of the story while keeping intact the brutal edges and heartfelt elements that defined the original film. Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical approach The Warriors is shockingly good and deserves the biggest showcase possible.

Source: NPR, Broadway World