West Side Story remake Everything you need to know - YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Sign in Welcome!Log into your account Forgot your password? Password recovery Recover your password Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Home Celebrity West Side Story remake Everything you need to know By You Magazine - January 16, 2019 West Side Story, the iconic 1961 movie-turned-hit-Broadway musical, is getting its own remake. We know, it’s a bold move to recreate such a classic. But before you roll your eyes, fear not. It is in the safe hands of critically-acclaimed director Steven Spielberg – the man who gave us everything from Indiana Jones and E.T to Jurassic Park and The Colour Purple – meaning there’s a strong chance it’ll be everything we want it to be. Rex Features What’ s the plot of West Side Story Set in the late fifties, West Side Story – which is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – tells the story of rival gangs the white American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks, who go head to head to win control of a neighbourhood on Manhattan’s West Side. Speilberg, who has been working on the remake for over a year now, has officially announced the key cast members for the upcoming movie. Who are the cast Divergent and Baby Driver star Ansel Elgort has been cast as Tony (originally played by Richard Beymer) while the role of Marie (originally played by Natalie Wood, who won an Oscar for her performance) has been given to 17-year-old high School student Rachel Zegler, who was given the role after an open casting call that saw more than 30,000 women audition for the role around the world. View this post on Instagram A post shared by rachel zegler (@rachelzegler) Ariana DeBose has also been cast as Marie’s best friend Anita (originally played by Rita Moreno, who will also be making an appearance in Speilberg’s version), meanwhile David Alvarez has landed the role of Bernardo, Marie’s older brother, and theatre performer Josh Andrés Rivera has been cast as Chino, her arranged fiancé. Rex Features Talking about the film, which is currently in pre-production stages, Spielberg told Deadline: ‘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.’ He continued: ‘I’m so happy that we’ve assembled a cast that reflects the astonishing depth of talent in America’s multifaceted Hispanic community. I am in awe of the sheer force of the talent of these young performers, and I believe they’ll bring a new and electrifying energy to a magnificent musical that’s more relevant than ever.’ Rex Features Similarly, Zelger, who is set to make her Hollywood debut said: ‘I am so thrilled to be playing the iconic role of Maria alongside this amazing cast. ‘West Side Story’ was the first musical I encountered with a Latina lead character. As a Colombian-American, I am humbled by the opportunity to play a role that means so much to the Hispanic community.’ When will it air No air date for the new version of West Side Story has been confirmed yet, but it has been confirmed that filming is set to begin this summer. RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR 50 of the best celebrity Halloween costumes of all time Shirley Ballas ‘ Strictly gave me back my hope’ Davina McCall discusses how men can help women going through the menopause Popular in Celebrity TV chef Gino D Acampo on Sardinia Sophia Loren and scary salads May 25, 2017 The Evergreen Goddess Exercise guru Diana Moran on looking fit and July 10, 2017 More more Julianne Moore November 13, 2017 Author Jill Mansell on designer notebooks commissioning art and the family January 16, 2018 EMOTIONAL TIES Kelly Hoppen on vodka vintage finds and being a April 4, 2018 ‘ I have no regrets’ Millie Mackintosh on divorce debt and reuniting May 20, 2018 EMOTIONAL TIES TV presenter and tennis player Annabel Croft shares her July 1, 2018 Stella Parton ‘ Dolly and I have always been close’ August 12, 2018 Anna Friel on getting jeered in the street shared parenting with September 23, 2018 Queen of primetime Charlotte Riley on juggling rising stardom with pregnancy October 21, 2018 Popular CategoriesFood2704Life2496Fashion2240Beauty1738Celebrity1261Interiors684 Sign up for YOUMail Thanks for subscribing Please check your email to confirm (If you don't see the email, check the spam box) Fashion Beauty Celebrity Life Food Privacy & Cookies T&C Copyright 2022 - YOU Magazine. All Rights Reserved