Steven Spielberg remaking West Side Story

[NewJeffCT]

Great that he's insisting on Latin actors for the leading roles of Maria, Anita, etc. But, has Spielberg done a musical before?

Get ready for the 21st-century edition of the Jets vs. the Sharks. Steven Spielberg is officially remaking West Side Story, the classic romantic musical about rival gangs in New York City. The script will be written by Tony winner (and Lincoln screenwriter) Tony Kushner; the cast, however, is still to be determined.

A casting call was recently released, seeking actors to fill in the key principal roles of Tony, Maria, Anita, and Bernardo. The announcement explicitly asks for Latinx actors to audition for the latter three, a welcome sign that Spielberg won’t whitewash this story. In the original 1961 film, those three parts were played by Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno (who is Puerto Rican), and George Chakiris. Tony, as always, will be played by a white actor; in the original, Richard Beymer played the role. Actors must be between the ages of 15 and 25, and must be able to sing, naturally. Dance experience is “a plus” for this famously kinetic production, which boasted original choreography from Jerome Robbins (who also co-directed the first film version).

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/01/steven-spielberg-west-side-story-remake

[C_U_L8R]

1. Why?

Really, why?

[NewJeffCT]

2. Because he can?

Romeo and Juliet's been done several times, why not West Side Story again?

[exboyfil]

4. Because it is West Side Story

Another reimagining of Romeo and Juliet is appropriate, but not a derivative source - especially one focused on a particular time period.

Also I hate remakes of great movies in general. There have been exceptions, but the originals stand on their own.

I

[C_U_L8R]

34. Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins and...

Leonard f’n Bernstein !!!

How do you improve on that?
The original is so stylish, so unique, so powerful.
God bless Spielberg if he can do better but that’s a big challenge.

[WSSlover]

74. Way to go, C_U_L8R!

Leonard f’n Bernstein !!!

How do you improve on that?
The original is so stylish, so unique, so powerful.
God bless Spielberg if he can do better but that’s a big challenge.

Your points make great, good sense, C_U_L8R! Frankly, I think that Steven Spielberg's in way over his head on this one, already!!

[Orrex]

8. What does Romeo & Juliet have to do with it?

Oh, wait a minute...

[WSSlover]

68. The original 1961 film version of West Side Story:

Because the original 1961 film version of West Side Story is far too special, and too much in a class all by itself to justify a re-make of this great golden oldie-but-keeper of a classic movie-musical, that's why!

Also, Rita Moreno, who was fantastic as Anita in the 1961 film version of West Side Story, has been chosen to play a role in Spielberg's re-make of the film West Side Story that seems completely and totally wrong and inappropriate for her; Valentina, the female rendition of Doc, the Candy Store owner in this film. This whole thing is shaping up to be really, really weird, and I don't like it!

[Blue_Adept]

15. Introduce it to a new generation

I enjoy a lot of musicals but I struggle watching the older ones for a range of reasons.

[FakeNoose]

44. How many people under 60 have even seen the original movie?

My guess is is almost nobody - maybe 5% at most.

I think it's high time they remade this movie and it will be awesome! The original version is somewhat dated now but the story and msucial score are timeless. Spielberg will do a great job, I'm sure of that.

[LeftInTX]

51. My daughter watched it in a summer school class. She's 27.

She was in 3rd grade and became hooked on it.

[janterry]

62. My daughter watched it all the time when she was younger

She's 15 now - but prior to about 13 she watched it regularly (on tape) - along with a whole bunch of other musicals (and other movies).

[NewJeffCT]

63. I think a lot of girls in their teens and 20s

that have an interest in theater or musical theater have likely seen the movie. The initial popularity of the show "Glee" probably helped to contribute to the rise in interest overall.

My daughter's old high school did West Side Story as their high school musical when she was in 8th grade two years ago. The girl playing Maria ended up winning Best Actress in a musical for all Connecticut high schools.

And, several months later, when my daughter was in a production of Cinderella, a bunch of girls backstage broke into an impromptu "I Feel Pretty" while they were preparing for the show. (No, I wasn't like Trump and barging in on underage girls getting dressed - my daughter told me about it later.)

[WSSlover]

69. I disagree, FakeNoose!

For starters, plenty of people under the age of 60 have seen the original 1961 film version of West Side Story.

Secondly, the original 1961 film version of West Side Story is as relevant today as it was back in the day, if one gets the drift.

Thirdly, I don't consider it dated at all. As a neighbor of mine put it "West Side Story" may be fiction, but it's closer to reality in some respects.

Fourth: Spielberg has done some very good films, but I seriously think that he should've left the 1961 film version of West Side Story alone and gone on to something else.

Fifth: Imho, the best way to introduce the film West Side Story to younger generations is to really restore this great, golden oldie-but-keeper of a classic movie-musical to its former glory and high quality and have more frequent national re-releases of it in the movie theatres, both independent and multiplex. That would unite both the younger and older generations together. A re-make of the original 1961 film West Side Story by anybody, including Steven Spielberg, would never, ever do that.

[ailsagirl]

64. It's a classic as it stands-- why remake it?

[WSSlover]

72. I'm with you on this, allsagirl!

West Side Story, as a movie-musical is strong enough and dynamic enough to stand all by itself as a classic! A re-make of this greatly powerful film is the last thing that's needed!

[ailsagirl]

77. Hi, WSSlover

Welcome to DU!

Sometimes I think there are so many remakes because the producers/directors have run out of stories. I have never seen a remake of a film that was any good. In fact, they're typically lousy. IMO

I noticed that TCM was airing "The Heartbreak Kid" the other day and recorded it for later viewing. Turns out, it was a remake (I guess-- it had the same title as the original film but I didn't stick around long enough to find out). Charles Grodin did a great job back in 1972-- I hadn't even known there was a remake.

I assume the prevailing philosophy is, "it's newer and better."

[CatMor]

3. I hope dance experience is a plus seeing as it was a big part of the play and movie.

[NewJeffCT]

18. well, it says dance experience is a plus

I can't imagine it won't be important

[uppityperson]

5. Will he change the ending to his typical glurge type? ETA

Last edited Mon Jan 29, 2018, 03:57 PM - Edit history (3)

THIS PART SHOULD BE SELF EDITED OUT, but am leaving so replies make sense.(No one dies, everyone is happy? )

Maybe he'll add another part for this.

Eta, ok, I was wrong. Lots of people die on Spielberg movies, obviously. But they are glurge, emotionally manipulative beyond what is needed and it's obvious, to me, watching a movie, whether or not he took part in it. Glurge.

[Orrex]

9. Yeah, the surprise happy ending of Amistad is what really put me over the edge

[Dr Hobbitstein]

12. Not to mention how no one died in Saving Private Ryan or Schindler's List. nt

[uppityperson]

27. I wrote wrong, lots of people die in Spielberg's glurge. It's glurge, was my point

I was wrong in no one dies.

[Downtown Hound]

21. You apparently have never seen A.I Artificial Intelligence,

Munich, Schindler's List, Amistad, Empire of the Sun, Saving Private Ryan, or Minority Report.

[uppityperson]

26. AI was 2 movies put together. Kubrick's and Spielberg's

It was jarring and obvious, to me, who had input into which parts. It's best to not assume or tell me what movies I've seen. You can disagree with my take on Spielberg, or ask why I think so, but best to not assume.

[Downtown Hound]

32. I wasn't really assuming, I was pointing out to you like I do to many Spielberg critics

that the idea that he only makes happy, feel-good popcorn movies is just not that accurate. He's actually taken quite a few risks over the course of his career (a black and white movie about the holocaust in the 90's) and doesn't get nearly enough credit for it

And the concept for A.I. was Kubrick's but that's pretty much it. Everything to do with the actual making of the movie came from Spielberg. And Kubrick actually tried to hand it off to Steven before he died, which shows that he had total faith in him. Kubrick was actually a big fan of Spielberg's work, which should tell you something right there.

[uppityperson]

36. That is all true too. His glurge annoys me.

[Downtown Hound]

38. Glurge? Um, not sure what you mean by that.

But whatever. I love Spielberg (and Kubrick, who happens to be my favorite filmmaker) and commend him for a life made making literally dozens of great movies from different genres and often about poignant social topics that other filmmakers would never touch. He's one of the finest filmmakers living today, and I hope he makes another two dozen movies before he has to leave this Earth.

[uppityperson]

43. I'm sorry, am just grouchy today.

I've been sick and dealing with a schrodinger's cat. My sweet cat has been dying for a week, I don't know what I'll find when I look in the kennel. It's been a long week. I'm grouchy, sorry.

[bettyellen]

53. So sorry to hear about your cat, U-P.

[msongs]

6. gotta tart it up with lots of popular profanity of the current musical era nt

[Orrex]

17. And they'll probably want to film it on your lawn.

[TlalocW]

41. I'm still laughing at this

As I type this response.

TlalocW

[Orrex]

55. .

[NewJeffCT]

24. Yes

Long-running Broadway shows like Lion King, Wicked, Aladdin and future long-running show Frozen are just laced with profanity. Not to mention Anastasia, SpongeBob and the reboots of Hello Dolly and Once on this Island.

[TexasBushwhacker]

35. Profanity? Seriously?

I remember reading that someone suggested adding some mild profanity to The Rookie (with Dennis Quaid) so it would get a PG rating. The director refused and it was released with a G rating, unusual for a film with a target audience older than little kids.

[NewJeffCT]

46. I was being sarcastic

Other than The Book of Mormon, most current top Broadway shows don't seem to have a ton of profanity in them.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. With whom does he expect to replace

These guys?

West Side Story (film)

Directed by: Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins
Produced by: Robert Wise
Screenplay by: Ernest Lehman
Based on: the play West Side Story by Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents

[Downtown Hound]

25. If only Spielberg had access to top Hollywood talent. n/t

[WSSlover]

75. It's agreed, mahatmakanejeeves!

These guys?

West Side Story (film)

Directed by: Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins
Produced by: Robert Wise
Screenplay by: Ernest Lehman
Based on: the play West Side Story by Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents

Neither the above-mentioned guys, or the cast in the original 1961 film version are replaceable, no matter what anybody else says or thinks. The people who said that there'd never, ever be a film like West Side Story again were right on their money!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

82. Welcome to DU. NT (no text in box "Message text:"

[Orrex]

10. Count me out unless Rita Moreno is offered a role

Temple of Doom opened with a big song & dance number, so there's that...

[NewJeffCT]

19. As Maria's grandmother?

she's 86 years old

[Orrex]

23. Why not?

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. The emotionally manipulative director is taking on an emotionally manipulative musical?

Jesus, what's the damage on this one gonna be?

* however, I have to say that as much as Spielberg pisses me off for his hamfisted directing, somehow The Post is a work of complete artistry. So maybe he's finally grown into an artist, in which case, he might do a really good job with West Side Story. I am not hopeful, though. I think The Post was an anomaly. I hope I am proved wrong, though.

[Orrex]

16. It's a rare film that isn't emotionally manipulative

Maybe Koyaanisqatsi, I guess, but other than that...?

[Rabrrrrrr]

58. Of course, all story telling is meant to elicit emotion-

But there is a difference between eliciting an emotion through film (or music or painting or written story...) and being emotionally manipulative. I find Spielberg to be much more the latter than the former. He rarely lets the viewer come to their own emotional conclusion, and more often than not forces the story, music, and visuals to generate only a single, director-determined, emotional response. Which emotional manipulation usually doesn't work on me and causes only annoyance and a sense of betrayal for Spielberg not trusting his audience enough to come to the right place on their own.

But as I said, The Post didn't do that at all. I was not aware at any time during the movie that "Oh yeah, I'm watching a Spielberg movie" which I generally have during one.

[Orrex]

65. Fair enough. I disagree, but fair enough.

The first time I heard that "he's manipulative" critique about Spielberg was in a discussion of Schindler's List. People were complaining that he was forcing people's emotions, as if there are a lot contradictory ways to feel about the Holocaust, I guess.

I'll repeat my previous answer, that it's a rare film that isn't manipulative. It's up to the viewer to find his or her own level, but I don't find Spielberg to be particularly egregious in this regard.

[uppityperson]

28. Thank you, it's nice to see I'm not the only one suspicious about this

[Cattledog]

13. Big mistake!

Remember Scorsese and "New York, New York"

[WSSlover]

71. Also,

Remember Scorsese and "New York, New York"

Not to mention both re-makes of the 1933 black-and-white film "King Kong", Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 movie, "Psycho", and the 1968 film "Planet of the Apes". The re-makes of these movies were horrible, and went over like lead balloons in the movie theatres; inotherwords, not well!

[janterry]

14. If they want to modernize it

There is a lot of work to be done. If not, it hardly speaks to our modern culture. Sure, some things are the same. But on the streets - gangs have changed quite a bit...........

[NewJeffCT]

20. It can still speak to the modern era

since it's a "white" gang against an immigrant/brown/latin gang. Different cultures, different attitudes.

[janterry]

22. Oh, sure

You're right. But I just had an image of trying to show this to any of my guys in prison (they'd never watch it......they'd be howling though ).

I like a lot about the original. My daughter used to watch it all the time when she was a bit younger.

[LeftInTX]

47. Set it in Texas, KKK versus MS-13

I have no idea if MS-13 is active in the area, but latin gangs have seen a decline recently, but according to Trump MS-13 is running rampant.

[NewJeffCT]

50. somehow

I don't see the KKK as the singing and dancing types.

[procon]

31. That's what I was thinking, too.

Remaking the same storyline is just going to be a weak copy of the original classic film. Sure, update the story and plot to reflect modern mores and relative current events, like casting the leads as Republicans and Democrats... LOL!

[Rabrrrrrr]

59. What is instead of modernizing it they set it in Verona, Italy in the 1500s!

Oh, wait...

[edbermac]

29. USO dance contest scene in Spielberg's 1941 was well staged.

[pressbox69]

30. Go for it Steve

but who is around from the original? Sondheim? I won't see it if it doesn't have his blessings. BTW if they are going to find a role for Rita Moreno they should find one for Chita Rivera as well. Do you think they will do the movie version of the rooftop America number or the original stage version with just the Shark girls?

[pressbox69]

33. Don't try to mess with the original music

like they did with the last Annie remake. If they do, screw the whole thing.

[DFW]

57. I don't think they'd ever get permission to mess with it

A friend of mine was Bernstein's protégé and sidekick for almost 20 years. He says the family and estate is still quite protective of "Lenny's" work.

[TexasBushwhacker]

37. I wonder who he'll choose to be the choreographer n/t

[brooklynite]

39. I'm guessing they won't be having a rumble with baseball bats...

A big problem with this remake is that the concept of a "gang" has radically changed.

[LeftInTX]

48. It will be that battle of the AR-15s

[TlalocW]

40. Oh, good. That means every male character will have unresolved daddy issues

Hopefully, that will just add one more song sung by Tony, Riff, and Bernardo, with various short reprises.

TlalocW

[Ron Obvious]

42. I hope it includes authentic contemporary slang and gang lingo

Like "Up Your Nose with a Rubber Hose", that sort of thing.

[Yavin4]

45. Will he cast Jaws in a Shark role? n/t

[LeftInTX]

49. Thread winner!!

[Heartstrings]

52. Another remake of a classic......yawn.......nt

[lindysalsagal]

54. My informed 2 cents.

1. I know nothing about this project, but I know the music and original film well.
2. If they touch the music or lyric or try to perform it by anything other than a real, live symphony orchestra, then I'll pass. Nobody needed the updated Porgy and Bess, either. Leave it alone. NO electric guitars, ukeleles, screetching turntables or techno musical effects. I. Want. Violins. Period.
3. I adore the Jerome Robbins choreography. I'd be OK if they re-staged it using the original moves and styles. But I really don't want to see guys in a gillion tats grabbing their privates and posing in baseball hats and baggy pants and gold chains like it's Jersey Shore.
4. Using real street scenes and opening up the blocking (how/where people walk) would be wonderful. The original sets were cheesy as hell.
5. If they set it in the 21st century, then I certainly hope Speilberg avoids ugly stereotypes and uses believable characters who really are trying hard to make it in nyc, because that's what I see every time I'm there, which is often.
6. Officer Krupke (the song/scene) had better be briliant and hysterical.

[NewJeffCT]

56. good comments

I wonder if they will update it to the 21st century...

[Archae]

60. Dare I say it? Yes, I do. The original sucks.

It's terribly dated.

And I detest the music.

[NewJeffCT]

61. Yes it's dated

and if the same movie came out today, it would have been lambasted for whitewashing: Natalie Wood, while stunning, was of Ukranian descent... and George Chakiris of Greek descent.

That said, the overall story of immigrants to the US trying to blend into a neighborhood that used to be almost all white is still relevant, not to mention love between different ethnic groups.

[WSSlover]

70. To each their own.

It's terribly dated.

And I detest the music.

but I disagree. It think that the 1961 film version of West Side Story is fabulous, it's as relevant as it ever was, and I love the music, as well.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

66. Cool. West Side Story is the only Broadway musical that doesn't suck,

and that's because Bernstein's music is brilliant.

[WSSlover]

73. I agree with you here, The Velveteen Ocelot.

While this:

and that's because Bernstein's music is brilliant.

is very true, the fact that West Side Story, ,both as a broadway musical and as a movie-musical, doesn't suck is also due to the fact that the creative cinematography, the seamless blending of on-location and sound stage filming scenery, (the late) Jerome Robbins' beautifully-choreographed dancing for both the original Broadway stage production and the 1961 film version of West Side Story, as well as the very story behind West Side Story, and the fact that WSS was preserved as a larger than life-sized piece of theatre when it was transferred from stage to screen, as well as the excellent cast, overall, and the skillful use of passionate colors such as reds and purples, and the beautifully-designed costumes, all helped make West Side Story the dynamic and powerful package that it is. That's why a re-make of the 1961 film version of WSS is so totally unnecessary.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

80. The old movie was beautifully done, but it's the music that makes it. Bernstein was a real composer,

not a hack. I can enjoy listening to a recording of just the music. Most music coming from Broadway not only sucks but is badly performed by singers who just bellow and who have no head voice. WSS is one of the rare exceptions as a musical whose songs can be sung by good singers and not people who just bellow. Another is Hair, which I saw on Broadway in 1969, still love the music.

[Iggo]

67. No, thank you.

[Midnightwalk]

76. There is at least one good reason

“I want to live in America” is an easy example of a hemiola.

[Guilded Lilly]

78. Nope. Pass.

[lordsummerisle]

79. Instead of a remake

why not a sequel or a prequel?

BTW after reading this thread I went to youtube to look at a few WSS videos I had saved a few years ago and they are now unavailable...

[WSSlover]

81. Like a re-make, a sequel or a prequel of WSS would be a disaster.

Some people argue that Spielberg's re-make of the 1961 film version of West Side Story will help the original and inspire curiosity about it, thereby making more people interested in seeing it, but suppose the younger generations see the re-make of the film West Side Story and think it's the cat's meow, and the original 1961 film version of WSS ends up either unavailable for movie theatre showings at all, is suppressed by the studios, or ends up in a $5.00 dollar basket in Wal*Mart or wherever?