Cast for Octet musical film, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, revealed

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s next directorial project will be a film adaptation of Dave Malloy’s a cappella musical Octet – and casting has been confirmed. 

Malloy is adapting his book and score for the screen, following his critically lauded work on the big-screen version of tick, tick…Boom!. Casting and additional details will be announced at a later date.

Set in a church basement meeting room, Octet is the story of eight people struggling with internet addiction who have been gathered together by an enigmatic figurehead to cure themselves of their habits.

Miranda has confirmed the cast is made up of Amanda Seyfried is Jessica, Rachel Zegler is Velma, Sheryl Lee Ralph is Paula, Phillipa Soo is Karly, Gaten Matarazzo is Toby, Jonathan Groff is Henry, Tramell Tillman is Marvin and Paul-Jordan Jansen is Ed.

Malloy’s body of work includes Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, adapted from Tolstoy, as well as Ghost Quartet, Preludes, The Witches, and Moby Dick. 

The 2019 chamber musical Octet has not yet been seen on UK shores – it will be interesting to see whether it arrives before the film.