Steven Spielberg is directing a remake of the classic musical “West Side Story,” and the actress who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in the 1961 movie, Rita Moreno, has joined the new project, the AP reports.
“The publicist for the 86-year-old Moreno confirmed Wednesday that she’ll play Valentina, a reworked version of the character of Doc, the owner of a corner store where Tony works,” the AP reports.
Ansel Elgort has been cast as Tony.
“The story follows two star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria, who are each associated with rival New York street gangs,” the story notes. “The Pulitzer-winning playwright Tony Kushner is adapting the script. Moreno will also serve as an executive producer.”
Filming is scheduled to start next summer.
The 1961 movie won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director — shared by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins — Best Supporting Actor for George Chakiris and Moreno’s win for Best Supporting Actress.
The 1961 film version of West Side Story does not need to be remade. It’s unnecessary, and will undoubtedly subvert the original film, which is irreplaceable.
Since Steven Spielberg’s reboot/remake of the film West Side Story is coming, and can’t be stopped, I plan on voting my pocketbook and boycotting Spielberg’s version of West Side Story (inotherwords, not going to see it) when it hits the movie theatres at around Christmastime of this year. I have seen pics of the cast, and of the backdrop scenes, and I am not impressed.