KENNY ORTEGA has lined up his first job since MICHAEL JACKSON concert documentary THIS IS IT - he'll direct the movie adaptation of hit Broadway musical IN THE HEIGHTS.
Ortega was choreographing Jackson's comeback concerts when the King of Pop died in June (09).
After he finishing work on This is It, Ortega stepped away from the limelight and even cancelled plans to direct a remake of Footloose - starring Chace Crawford - revealing he wanted to "kick my shoes off and walk in the sand".
Six months after Jackson's death, Ortega is ready to return and has signed up to take the Tony Award-winning In the Heights to the big screen.
And he wants Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the musical about his upbringing in New York neighborhood Washington Heights, to reprise his starring role in the movie.
Ortega tells Daily Variety, "I've seen the show six times on Broadway since it opened. Lin blew me away with his presence and charisma."

15 December 2009 19:17