Everything We Know About the Dear Evan Hansen Movie So Far

Script written by Nick Spake

Everything We Know What the Dear Evan Hansen Movie So Far

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re discussing everything we know about the “Dear Evan Hansen” movie so far.

Are YOU excited to see “Dear Evan Hansen” on the big screen? Let us know in the comments!

This upcoming film is based on the hit stage musical about a teenage boy with broken self-esteem, as well as a broken arm. Evan Hansen soon finds himself in the middle of a tragedy, which leads to a misunderstanding, which leads to a lie, which leads to a movement, which results in an unforgettable coming-of-age story. “Dear Evan Hansen” has not only been praised for its music, but also its depiction of depression, social anxiety, and the confusion of being a teenager. Earning nine Tony nominations, “Dear Evan Hansen” won six, including Best Musical.

“Dear Evan Hansen” marked the first Tony win for the songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who had previously worked on “Dogfight” and “A Christmas Story: The Musical.” “Dear Evan Hansen” will be the first Pasek and Paul musical to be adapted into a theatrical film, although they’re no strangers to Hollywood. The two won an Oscar for the song “City of Stars” from “La La Land” and took home a Golden Globe for “This Is Me” from “The Greatest Showman.” Their other screen credits include “Trolls” and the live-action remake of “Aladdin.” In addition to serving as executive producers on the “Dear Evan Hansen” film, Pasek and Paul will contribute a new original song for the character of Alana Beck.

At one point, narrative/documentary filmmaker Max Hechtman showed interest in bringing “Dear Evan Hansen” to the silver screen. “It sparked something inside me when I first saw it,” Hechtman said in 2017. “I want my work to have that exact same effect on people, even if it’s just one person.” After Universal picked up the film rights in 2018, though, the directing job went to Stephen Chbosky. Chbosky has worked on the screenplays for a couple of movie musicals, including “Rent” and the live-action “Beauty and the Beast.” He’s best known for writing and directing “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” which he adapted from his own young adult novel. Given the parallels between Charlie Kelmeckis and Evan Hansen, Chbosky seems like an inspired choice to translate this material.


While Chbosky is new to “Dear Evan Hansen,” the film is still sticking close to its Broadway roots. The stage show earned writer Steven Levenson a Tony for Best Book of a Musical. Levenson has since made the leap from the stage to the small screen. He served as a co-developer and co-writer on the biographical limited series “Fosse/Verdon,” which scored him two Primetime Emmy nominations. Levenson is returning to scribe the screenplay for “Dear Evan Hansen,” meaning we should anticipate a faithful adaptation.

Levenson will serve as an executive producer as well. The producing team is being rounded out by Marc Platt and Adam Siegel, both of whom have proven to be award magnets. The two already won a Primetime Emmy for producing the “Grease: Live” television special. Platt would win another Emmy - this time a Primetime Creative Arts one - for producing “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.” He’s also well-acquainted with a fellow named Oscar, receiving nominations for “Bridge of Spies” and “La La Land.” And yes, there is a relation between Marc Platt and Ben Platt, the actor who originated the role of Evan on stage. They’re father and son!

Ben Platt has certainly come a long way since he played Benji in the first two “Pitch Perfect” movies. At age 23, his performance as Evan Hansen made Platt the youngest person to solely win the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical. Platt went on to release his first studio album, “Sing to Me Instead,” and landed the lead role in Netflix’s “The Politician,” which garnered him a Golden Globe nomination. Yet, “Dear Evan Hansen” arguably remains Platt’s greatest feat and it’s hard to imagine anyone else as the titular character. We’re happy to say that Platt will likely reprise his role in the film, assuming that outside forces don’t get in the way.

As of writing, Platt still has the youthful appearance required to play a high school senior. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, “Dear Evan Hansen” may not get rolling as quickly as the studio would like. If the film stays on the back-burner for too long, Platt may be compelled to pass the torch to another actor. Platt told Deadline in July 2020, “We think this is obviously a story that would be really effective to tell on film. But it’s a matter of can we make it happen in time for me to be conceivably young [enough for the role]. If the [COVID] guidelines prove that it’s possible over the next few months, I think it’s definitely a possibility.”

While Platt’s casting isn’t set in stone just yet, several actors are officially onboard for the film. In August 2020, it was announced that Kaitlyn Dever would star as Zoe Murphy, the girl of Evan’s dreams. Dever has been on fire as of late with her roles in the comedy film “Booksmart” and the Netflix miniseries “Unbelievable,” the latter of which brought her a Golden Globe nomination. Although this will be her first movie musical, Dever and her sister Mady previously contributed to the soundtrack for the indie dramedy “Tully.” Forming the singing duo Beulahbelle, the sisters directed, produced, and appeared in a music video for their first single, “Raleigh,” in 2020. Fittingly enough, Kaitlyn Dever and Ben Platt have a real-life BFF in common: Beanie Feldstein.

Evan’s school friend is being played by Amandla Stenberg, who landed their first major film role as Rue in “The Hunger Games.” Stenberg has since broken out as the lead in movies like “Everything, Everything” and “The Hate U Give.” You also may recognize them from the visual album “Beyoncé: Lemonade,” although that’s only the tip of Stenberg’s singing experience. In recent years, they’ve released a music video for the cover of “Let My Baby Stay.” Stenberg will also serve as a co-writer with Pasek and Paul on Alana’s original song for the movie. Alana is expected to have a larger role in the film, which is only appropriate for a rising star of Stenberg’s caliber.

Between “Atypical” and “Alex Strangelove,” we bet you’ve seen Nik Dodani, who will play Evan’s friend Jared Kleinman. The supporting cast additionally includes Colton Ryan, who was the understudy for Connor Murphy on Broadway, but who will take on the role here. We were over the moon to hear “Amy Adams” and “musical” in the same sentence - she'll be playing the Murphy matriarch Cynthia. We’re still waiting to hear who will play Evan’s mother Heidi Hansen, a role that won Rachel Bay Jones a Tony. Whoever scores that part, “Dear Evan Hansen” is already shaping up to be quite the ensemble piece with a capable director and a writer who knows his way around the material. More information is forthcoming, but based on everything we know so far, all we see is light. Sincerely, MsMojo.