Everything We Know About Lin-Manuel Miranda’s New Movie Musical Octet

Lin-Manuel Miranda is returning to the director’s chair with a new project: an adaptation of Dave Malloy’s off-Broadway musical Octet. The film marks Miranda’s second feature as a director following tick, tick…BOOM! and brings together a cast that spans film, television, and stage.

The announcement comes with rehearsals already underway and a full ensemble in place, signaling that the long-in-development adaptation is officially moving forward.

Here’s what to know so far.

What is Octet about?

Octet centers on a group of eight people navigating their relationship with technology. The story unfolds in a church basement, where they gather as part of a support group focused on digital dependency.

According to the official synopsis, the characters commit to disconnecting—literally locking away their phones—as they attempt to better understand their habits and compulsions.

The project is based on Malloy’s 2019 stage production, which debuted off-Broadway at New York City’s Signature Theatre.

Who is in the cast?

The film features an eight-person ensemble, with each actor playing a member of the support group.

Amanda Seyfried stars as Jessica, with Rachel Zegler as Velma and Sheryl Lee Ralph as Paula. Phillipa Soo plays Karly, while Gaten Matarazzo appears as Toby. Jonathan Groff takes on the role of Henry, Tramell Tillman plays Marvin, and Paul-Jordan Jansen rounds out the group as Ed.

The cast is made up of performers with strong musical backgrounds, many of whom have experience in both theater and screen roles. Soo and Groff, for example, both had roles in Hamilton, while Matarazzo appeared in Sweeney Todd on Broadway. Zegler recently starred in West End’s Evita and won an Olivier Award for her performance in April 2026.

Who is behind the film?

Miranda is directing the film and has been developing the adaptation for several years alongside Malloy, who is writing the screenplay based on his original musical. Malloy will also executive produce.

When announcing the project in April 2026, Miranda emphasized how long it’s been in the works, writing on Instagram, “I’ve been obsessed since I saw Annie Tippe’s production in November 2019, and [have been] working on adapting this with Dave for the past six years. Now we get to make the movie.”

The project continues Miranda’s work in translating stage musicals to screen, following his directorial debut with tick, tick…BOOM! in 2021.

When will Octet be released?

A release date has not yet been announced.

With rehearsals underway and casting confirmed, the film is still in the early stages of production. More details, including a timeline for filming and distribution, are expected to follow.