There has been much written and discussed about the upcoming Steven Spielberg film adaptation of the musical West Side Story. The Walt Disney Company released the new “sneak peek” of the film this morning, adding fuel to the anticipation of this film by so many. 

One thing is certain, for the most part, everyone is awaiting the release of this film for many reasons. For some, it’s the nostalgia of having watched the 1961 film, which Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise directed back in the ’60s. For others, it’s a chance to finally see more Latinos in the lead roles they were not allowed to play in the original film production. And for others, it is the “come full circle” for the revered actress Rita Moreno who starred and won an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in the original film. Fast forward and she now has a pivotal role in the new adaptation while taking on a new role as one of the executive producers.

One thing is for sure, we all await the release of West Side Story in the U.S. theaters on December 10, 2021. Expectations are high.

 The film stars, Rachel Zegler, a virtually unknown actress who will be making her feature film debut in West Side Story and Ansel Elgort, with Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Josh Andrés Rivera, Corey Stoll, and Brian d’Arcy James. Choreography is by Justin Peck.

Starring as Maria, the female lead in the film is Zegler in her feature film debut. She is a singer and songwriter, raised in New Jersey with her dad and Colombian mother. She landed the role beating 30,000 persons auditioning. She plays opposite Elgort who plays Tony. They lead a cast of many hundreds. Quite a leap for Zegler, however she first played the role of Maria in a Performing Arts School presentation at Bergen Performing Arts Center.

West Side Story is one of the most beloved musical romantic dramas. The film, which is also co-produced by Spielberg, is written by Tony Kushner, who is also one of the executive producers.

The film went into development in 2014 at 20th Century Fox, and Kushner began writing the screenplay by 2017. Spielberg came on board in 2018, and casting began late that year. The filming began in July 2019 with the shoot taking place in New York and New Jersey. The production just missed running into having to film during Covid 19. However, the release was affected, with the release date having been pushed back to, finally, December 10.

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Early today NALIP announced the Latino Lens: Producers Pipeline Incubator which will be presented by NALIP and its founding sponsor, The Walt Disney Company, as well as the Motion Picture Association, Amblin Partners, and STARZ. The ground-breaking industry-wide incubator aims to mold and cultivate the next generation of executive producers – Latinos.

“It is important for our production companies to give access to diverse producers,” said Latondra Newton, Chief Diversity Officer, The Walt Disney Company NALIP has proven to be a great source of talent and we hope to tap into their network and open more doors for the next Kathleen Kennedys and Lin-Manuel Mirandas.”

This incubator will train and expose individuals to the motion picture & television business divisions, distribution, provide opportunities to accelerate fresh inclusive perspectives, and learn the process of a Producer’s overall deal. This is a major step toward the old adage that Latinos are needed in the “greenlight” position to be able to get their project made.

“We’ve long been impressed with the opportunities that NALIP creates for talented young Latino producers, and we are honored to support the inaugural Producers Pipeline Incubator,” said Victoria Alonso , EVP Production, Marvel Studios. “Through this program, we look forward to introducing this exceptional group to our work at Amblin and sharing insights into producing film and television in an unprecedented period of change for the entertainment business.”

The stats of the power of the Latino consumer market are glaring. With 58.9 million Latinos across the nation that generate $2.6 trillion in GDP a year and an audience that brings in 20% of the box office, it is unfathomable that it has taken so long to get the attention of Hollywood. NALIP is an organization that has been working behind the scenes for over 20 years to bring the lack of Latinx executives into the conversation as it relates to the financial growth and future of this business. This incubator will also integrate forecasting in the technology sectors and platforms transforming the creation and distribution of content.

The pilot program will accept up to 12 participants in its first year to undergo an eight-week curriculum and mentorship program, which will be led by a cohort of successful producers with overall deals currently working in the industry. Following the mentorship, four participants will receive the opportunity for a six-month paid fellowship at The Walt Disney Company, Amblin Partners, and STARZ, and will be provided with further knowledge and experience to help craft their career. 

“The Producers Pipeline Incubator aligns perfectly with our #TakeTheLead initiative and our continued commitment to narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences,” said Jeffrey Hirsch, President and CEO of STARZ. “This incubator program is an opportunity to further progress on our mission and commitment to representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout our organization.”

The program aims to cultivate, develop, and fortify the capabilities of executive producers through active, hands-on learning. Program participants will gain insights from industry professionals and mentors who can speak to the value of pursuing, developing, and ultimately overseeing the success of a slate of projects and IP. With the support of all the partners, the incubator will be scaled to introduce new studio partners, provide additional fellowships in the next edition, and support professional development opportunities for the fellows moving forward.

For more information please go to:  https://www.nalip.org/producers_pipeline_incubator

The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) is a national membership organization that addresses the professional needs of Latino/a content creators. 

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Movie Tickets Now on Sale 

The Walt Disney Company and Make-A-Wish® launched the #FriendLikeMe Challenge today – World Wish Day® – to celebrate the May 24, 2019 release of the studio’s much anticipated new movie, Aladdin. Movie tickets are on sale now. 

The #FriendLikeMe Challenge is part of a global cause marketing campaign supported by two Make-A-Wish wish granters, Disney and Will Smith. The actor/recording artist, who stars in Disney’s “Aladdin” as the wish-granting Genie, encourages fans and celebrities to participate in the campaign and help show the world: Where there’s a wish, there’s a way. The campaign poses the question: “If you were the Genie in Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ and had the chance to grant three heartfelt wishes for someone, who would you share them with? Tag a friend on Twitter and/or Instagram. For every public post with #FriendLikeMefrom April 29 through May 24, 2019, Disney will donate $5 up to $1 million to Make-A-Wish to help grant life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses all over the world. For more information, go to FriendLikeMe.org. See Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ in theaters May 24.”

“The release of ‘Aladdin’ presents an authentic opportunity to connect the film’s powerful theme of wish-granting to the wonderful work Make-A-Wish does in support of children dealing with serious illnesses around the world,” said Elissa Margolis, senior vice president, Enterprise Social Responsibility for The Walt Disney Company. “Wishes are all about hope and we’re so glad to be able to continue our work with Make-A-Wish and invite fans to join us in helping grant more wishes that will bring hope into the lives of deserving kids and their families.”

Since 1980, Disney and Make-A-Wish have helped grant life-changing wishes for more than 130,000 children with critical illnesses around the world. Today, one out of every two wishes granted in the U.S. is a Disney wish. When a wish is granted, a child replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope.

Granting wishes is a part of The Walt Disney Company’s philanthropic and outreach initiative, Disney Team of Heroes, which delivers comfort and inspiration to families with children facing serious illness. 

“The #FriendLikeMe Challenge unites two of our longest-tenured and most passionate wish granters in Disney and Will Smith,” said Richard Davis, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “Both Disney and Will have forever transformed the lives of countless wish kids by allowing them to experience the hope and healing of a wish come true.”

Michel Rudolphie, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish International added, “By participating in the challenge, members of the global community can do their part to bring the life-changing impact of a wish to more children. We are grateful to Disney and Will Smith for joining us on this journey to transform the lives of more children, families, volunteers, supporters, medical professionals and entire communities worldwide.” 

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