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Steven Spielberg casts unknown 17-year-old in West Side Story remake
It's time to start snapping your fingers together, because the new West Side Story film is well and truly coming together.
On Tuesday, it was revealed director Steven Spielberg had cast a relatively unknown 17-year-old for his film adaptation of the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical.
A New Jersey high school student by the name of Rachel Zegler has landed the main role of Maria, a teenage girl who has just arrived in the United States from Puerto Rico.
This means Zegler will star alongside The Fault in Our Stars lead Ansel Elgort, who plays her love interest. West Side Story – which came to life as a stage production in the 1950s – tells the story of two young lovers caught between rival gangs: the Jets, made up of white Americans, and the Sharks, made up of Puerto Rican Americans.
Spielberg's adaptation, which will be based off the original musical and not the 1961 film of the same name, isn't due to start production until later this year. But it is already earning hype given West Side Story is one of the most beloved Broadway shows of all time.
The Hollywood director has told Variety he was proud to follow through on his promise to cast Latino actors in some of the film's key roles.
"I'm so happy that we've assembled a cast that reflects the astonishing depth of talent in America's multifaceted Hispanic community," he said. "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."
Steven Spielberg has cast an unknown high school student in the lead role of his upcoming West Side Story remake. Credit: AP
Spielberg's words come after years of commentary that the 1961 film was racist. Actor George Chakiris, who is of Greek descent but played the Puerto Rican character Bernardo, was made to wear dark makeup at the time. Even his co-star Rita Moreno, who is Puerto Rican, was made up in shades darker than her actual skin tone.
Newcomer Zegler is still in high school but occasionally works as a wedding singer. Her first theatre role was playing Shprintze in a local rendition of Fiddler on the Roof. While she's no stranger to West Side Story, having previously played Maria for a high-school production, the soon-to-be remake will be her first feature film.
On Tuesday, Zegler wrote on Twitter that she "could say so many things" in regards to the announcement "but all I can muster is thank you".
She later added in Spanish: "To represent my Latina community is an honour. I'm very grateful. I love you all."
Ansel Elgort in The Fault in Our Stars
The up-and-coming star maintains a popular YouTube channel where she posts covers of songs and answers questions about everything from her daily life to her impressive vocal range. She was offered her new role after submitting a video of herself singing Tonight and I Feel Pretty, two key songs from the West Side Story musical. (Spielberg has promised fans of the Broadway hit they won't leave the cinema without hearing all their favourite tunes.)
Oscar winner Moreno is set to appear in Spielberg's remake, but she won't be reprising the role of Bernardo's girlfriend, Anita. Instead, she's passing the baton on to a young Tony Award nominee by the name of Ariana DeBose and will take on a new role in the film.
"This role means the world to me and I cannot wait to dance with you on set," the 87-year-old actress wrote on Twitter.
Other people set to star in the film include Billy Elliot's David Alvarez as Bernardo and Josh Rivera as the character Chino.
The new West Side Story film does not have a release date, but filming is due to begin from the middle of this year.