Renthead here.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, 'Rent,' which takes place in New York City, is the story of a group of East Village bohemians. The film showcases "525, 600 minutes" - a year - of their lives, where they deal with several life conflicts, including AIDS, death, drugs, love, and not being able to pay the rent.

Reprising their roles from the original Broadway cast of 'Rent' are Taye Diggs ("Benny"), Wilson Jermaine Heredia ("Angel"), Jesse L. Martin ("Tom"), Idina Menzel ("Maureen"), Adam Pascal ("Roger"), and Anthony Rapp ("Mark").
Joining them are Rosario Dawson as "Mimi" and Tracie Thoms as "Joanne."

The film is directed by Chris Columbus (Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone, and the Harry Potter films) with a screenplay also adapted by Chris Columbus and Steve Chbosky.

The musical was originally written in the mid '90s by Jonathan Larson, a young and promising composer. However, Larson tragically died the night before the first preview was performed on Broadway.

Larson's family has been an active part of the film and are very pleased with the outcome and fan support.
Robert DeNiro's Tribeca Productions and Colubus' 1492 Productions are teamed with Revolution Studios to produce, while Sony Pictures distributes.