West Side Story Remake: What We Know So Far

Steven Spielberg’s musical version starts filming in June 2019 with a release date of December 18, 2020!

By Elia Esparza

One of the first films I saw that truly tugged at my heartstrings and filled me with excitement about the magic of movies, was the 1961 classic West Side Story. I can still remember one October Sunday sitting in the Vogue Theater in Chula Vista, California, a third-grader totally captivated. It wasn’t just the music… the gorgeous actors who could sing and dance but what really grabbed me were the characters of Maria, Anita, Bernardo, and Chino. They represented and looked like me. And, yes, for the first time in my little girl mind, “I felt pretty.”

No doubt about it, West Side Story is part of the fabric of many of our childhoods and for me, it was also a coming-of-age.

After the movie, my mother and I drove home and I could barely contain my happiness. I blurted out, “I want to do that.” She looked at me funny and asked, “Do what?” And, I answered, “Make movie magic.”

My mother was still confused. “I don’t think you have a voice to sing, I’ve heard you in the chorus… maybe you could be an actress.”

“No, , I want to work where they make movies.” My mom just chuckled and said, “Well, let’s worry about tonight’s dinner and let’s see how life goes for you.” But because my mom was a movie addict, I believe she was thrilled for me.

The impact that West Side Story had never ever left me. I loved acting in plays but television and films terrified me. As for singing, God knows I can’t hold a tune… I’m scary at Karaoke, but I did discover a passion for writing, which started after I watched West Side Story. I became a journal writing devotee and a lot of my allowance earnings were spent on movie star magazines, buying 45 rpm records, and going to the Vogue Theater, which was almost every weekend since my parents would drop us kids off as they headed to Tijuana’s famous Aguascaliente Racetrack.

As the editor for Latin Heat, I understand and respect the criticism of casting a non-Latina in the title role of Maria in the original WSS. But to the little girl in me, I only saw the essence of a beautiful dark-haired girl who I wanted to grow up to be. And, Anita, well in her, I knew even at that young age, that she truly represented my entire family, and I have idolized Rita Moreno ever since. That’s the power of movies.

For the millennial readers who may not be as updated on the original WSS, it is a film sets the ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. It is about a forbidden love affair that leads the vicious rivalry of two street gangs– the Jets and the Sharks.

I searched high and low to bring you latest on Steven Spielberg‘s remake of my all-time favorite movie, who we understand is basing his film on the 1957 Broadway play more so than the film.

The remake will be directed by Spielberg, with the script adapted by Tony Award winner Tony Kushner (Lincoln), and based on Arthur Laurents’ book. West Side Story represents the first musical project that Spielberg will add to his brilliant career.

The Principal Cast
Rachel , 17-year-old, Colombian-America, has been cast as Maria. She is a singer/songwriter newbie that hails from New Jersey and beat out 30,000 vying for the role. Check out the Inside Edition interview I found on YouTube. She’s good.

Ansel Elgort (The Baby Driver, Fault in Our Stars), will play opposite as Tony, her beloved. While performing in many musical classics on stage, this is the first feature film for the actor.

David Alvarez (Billy Elliot: The Musical), will portray Bernardo, the Sharks leader, Maria’s older brother and Anita’s boyfriend. He won a Tony for his role in Billy Elliot. Alvarez’s parents immigrated from Cuba, knowing no English, only driven by the hope of a better life.

Ariana deBose (Hamilton, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), is taking on the role of Anita — originally Chita Rivera onstage and immortalized by Rita Moreno onscreen. Her Broadway credits include “Hamilton”, “A Bronx Tale: The Musical,” “Pippin,” “Motown: The Musical,” and “Bring It On: The Musical.”

Josh Andrés Rivera (Hamilton national tour) has been cast as Chino, a Shark, and Bernardo’s choice to court Maria.

Jamila Velasquez (Empire, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), the South Bronx singer and actress has been cast as Meche.

Mike Faist, the Tony-nominated for his role of Connor Murphy in “Dear Hansen,” will portray , leader of the Jets and Tony’s best friend. Broadway dancer Paloma Garcia-Lee will appear as Riff’s girlfriend.

Brian d’Arcy James (13 Reasons Why) has been cast as Sergeant Krupke the former Officer Krupke, the racist cop who patrols the territory of the dueling Jets and Sharks. He is a three-time Tony nominee and originated the role of King George in Hamilton during its world premiere at The Public Theater.

The Singers and Dancers

Spielberg didn’t just look to Broadway to round out his cast of singers and dancers, but opened wide his auditions and cast Ana Isabella, a Puerto Rican singer, and dancer to portray Rosalia, one of the Sharks’ girls who sings in numbers like “America” and “I Feel Pretty”.

The full company of Sharks includes: David Aviles Morales, Yesenia Ayala, María Alejandra Castillo, Annelise Cepero, Andrei Chagas, Jeanette Delgado, Kelvin Delgado, Gaby Diaz, Yurel Echezarreta, Adriel Flete, Carlos E. Gonzalez, David Guzman, Jacob Guzman, Ana Isabelle, Melody Martí, Ilda Mason, Juliette Feliciano Ortiz, Edriz E. Rosa Pérez, Maria Alexis Rodriguez, Julius Anthony Rubio, Carlos Sánchez Falú, Sebastian Serra , Gabriela Soto, Ricky Ubeda, Tanairi Vazquez, Jamila Velazquez, Isabella Ward and Ricardo Zayas.

According to choreographer Justin Peck‘s statement, “O of our largest priorities was to find a caliber of triple-threats who could bring this film to life with great proficiency. West Side Story has influenced generations of dancers since its inception, and I am thrilled that we have found this extraordinary group to bring our new vision for the musical to the big screen.”

“I am in awe of the sheer force of the talent of these young performers, and I believe they’ll bring new and electrifying energy to a magnificent musical that’s more relevant than ever.” — Stephen Spielberg

Although Rita Moreno, at first wasn’t too keen on working on Spielberg’s film, she eventually came around, I mean it was too good an offer to pass up because she was also offered to come on board as executive producer on this remake. She will portray Valentina, a “reconceived and expanded” version of the original character of Doc, the owner of the corner store where Tony works. She is unforgettable as Anita in the 1961 movie, her electrifying energy won her an Academy Award. And, to date, she is an icon that has won every industry award available. Check out this official movie clip from YouTube of Moreno in her most famous movie dance scene:

In an industry interview, Speilberg stated, “When we began this process a year ago, we announced that we would cast the roles of Maria, Anita, Bernardo, Chino and the Sharks with Latina and Latino actors. I’m so happy that we’ve assembled a cast that reflects the astonishing depth of talent in America’s multifaceted Hispanic community.”

The Soundtrack
The original soundtrack was composed by the late Leonard Bernstein and lyrics from Stephen Sondheim contains the timeless songs of “Maria”, “Tonight”, “America”, “Somewhere”, “I Feel Pretty”, and “Gee Officer Krupke.” These songs have become a part of the cultural fabric of our nation. “America” is an unforgettable scene and one that is seared in many of our hearts forever. It represents why my mother came to America.

According to the latest buzz, the remake is expected to include all of the original Bernstein songs, as well as some of the iconic dance numbers from the original film. The score will be conducted by the incredible Venezuelan-born Gustavo Dudamel, the music director of the L.A. Philharmonic. And, how appropriate it is him the chosen music genius because he is after all the recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Lifetime Achievement Award for the Elevation of Music in Society from the Longy School of Music.

The Remake Release Date
West Side Story is set for FOX release on December 18, 2020.

2019 Summer
As principal filming starts, the original West Side Story is returning to movie theaters for two days only as part of Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies’ TCM Big Screen Classics series with an introduction from TCM host Ben Mankiewicz. In select theaters on June 24th and 27th at 2 P.M. and 7 P.M. local both days.

Despite the magnitude of attempting to recreate a classic, it is appropriate that a current American pop culture legend, Steven Spielberg has tackled it on and is infusing the remake with a new life and hope it will resonate.

When it came to moving forward on this project, Spielberg left no stone unturned. Via his Amblin Entertainment company, casting director Cindy Tolan had her job cut out for her. She looked at more than 30,000 performers, making this Spielberg’s broadest casting search since his 1993 Schindler’s List. Producing are Kevin McCollum, and Kristie Macosko Krieger.

Will Spielberg’s version measure up to the original and make it relevant to our current politically challenging times? I hope so. As the ultimate optimist, I’m vying for the promise of progress.

Rachel is repped by 42West (Publicist). Ansel Elgort is repped by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Brookside Artist Management, and Rogers & Cowan (Publicist. Ariana deBose is repped by Cunningham Escott Slevin & Doherty (CESD), AC Management, and 42West (Publicist). David Alvarez is repped by William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME), and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Josh Andres Rivera is repped by DDO Artists Agency.

The October 28, 1961West Side Story cast:
Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Russ Tamblyn, Ned Glass, Tucker Smith
Director: Robert Wise
Screenwriter: Jerome Robbins