#spielberg
Steven Spielberg has filled the final two major roles in his new production of West Side Story and brought in over 50 actors, singers and dancers to round out the cast as a whole.
Dear Evan Hansen star Mike Faist will play Riff, leader of the Jets, while Puerto Rican star Ana Isabelle will bring to life the role of Rosalia, a friend of Maria’s. They join Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler and Rita Moreno in the core cast.
The rest of the Sharks and Jets have also been announced, with some 20-odd performers making up each gang. Maddie Ziegler has been confirmed as one of them, though it’s unclear how significant her role will be.
Justin Peck, who’ll act as choreographer on the film, said: “One 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.”
West Side Story begins shooting this summer and will be released in 2020.
“I feel like Maria is somebody I know really well. I’m a young Latina growing up in the New York-New Jersey area. She’s someone I hold very near and dear to my heart.”
“This entire process has helped me realize more and more that we’re the same person. I think we all have a little bit of her inside of our heart: someone that is really hopeful for a future that is equal and beautiful and that one day we’ll find that place for us.”
Rachel Zegler talks to northjersey.com about playing Maria in Spielberg’s West Side Story.
Rita Moreno entertains Spielberg and some of the West Side Story team in this picture from her Twitter account. She wrote:
“Cooked a Puerto Rican dinner for some of my West Side Story friends last night at my place with the thought in mind of reminding them what they’re getting into. First thing Steven asked to see: My Oscar from West Side Story.”
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Corey Stoll and Brian d'Arcy James are the latest additions to the cast of Spielberg’s West Side Story.
Stoll will play racist cop Lieutenant Schrank, while d'Arcy James will fill the role of Sergeant Krupke, whom the song ‘Gee Officer Krupke’ is based around.
The pair join a starry cast that already includes Ansel Elgort as Tony, Rita Moreno, Ariana DeBose and David Alvarez.
Newcomer Rachel Zegler will play Maria in the film which is set to start shooting in New York in June.
“I talked to Steven about this yesterday. I asked him very specifically. What happened is a journalist was onto a story about this and had heard a rumor about Steven. They called a spokesperson to get a comment and honestly, just twisted it around.”
Jeffrey Katzenberg comments on rumours that Spielberg wants to ban Netflix films (and those of other streaming services) from qualifying for the Oscars.
This story has rumbled on for over a week now, and I really hope this draws it to some kind of an end because it’s nothing more than a storm in a teacup. Let’s review the story so far.
Spielberg has indeed spoken about Netflix films, stating that he wants to preserve the theatrical experience and that a film that does not get a theatrical run is a TV movie that should not qualify for the Oscars. Here are those quotes:
“I hope all of us really continue to believe that the greatest contributions we can make as filmmakers is to give audiences the motion picture theatrical experience. I’m a firm believer that movie theatres need to be around forever.”
“Once you commit to a television format, you’re a TV movie. You certainly, if it’s a good show, deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar. I don’t believe films that are just given token qualifications in a couple of theaters for less than a week should qualify for the Academy Award nomination.”
Further to these quotes, Amblin issued a statement (the one Katzenberg refers to), and this can be seen below:
“Steven feels strongly about the difference between the streaming and theatrical situation. He’ll be happy if the others will join [his campaign] when that comes up [at the Academy Board of Governors meeting]. He will see what happens.”
Nowhere in any of those quotes does Spielberg dismiss the quality of Netflix films (he is not using ‘TV movie’ as a pejorative) or argue that there should be a blanket ban on their qualification for an Oscar. The numerous reports that he is stating such things are simply not true and are drawn more from speculation, click-bait headlines and poor journalism than anything that the man himself has said.
What we can draw from these comments is that Spielberg believes that a meaningful exclusive theatrical window should be in place: that to qualify for an Oscar, films should have to play for a certain time in cinemas before they are available on a streaming service. The Hollywood Reporter speculated that this window may be four weeks, but there have been no comments from Spielberg stating that so we can’t be sure that he actually believes it.
Indeed, amongst all the chaos, the real truth of this debate has been lost: we don’t actually know what Spielberg wants to do (if indeed he wants to do anything) with regard to Netflix and Oscar qualification. What we do know is that he does not hate the platform, as some have suggested. He was pictured celebrating with the Romateam after the Oscars and has worked with Netflix in the recent past, both directly (through 2017′s docu-series Five Came Back, which he appears in) and indirectly (through The Haunting of Hill House, which is an Amblin production).
Spielberg’s also been very vocal about his love for TV, a medium which he got his break in and which Amblin continues to work and thrive in to this day.
“I love television. I love the opportunity. Some of the greatest writing being done today is for television, some of the best directing for television, some of the best performances [are] on television today.”
Also lost in the madness is the fact that Spielberg almost took Lincoln to HBO because he didn’t think it would find a big enough audience at cinemas. In a joint interview with George Lucas, the following was stated in The Hollywood Reporter:
“I think eventually the Lincolns will go away and they’re going to be on television,” Lucas said. “As mine almost was,” Spielberg interjected. “This close - ask HBO - this close.”
So, what’s to be learned from all this? Not much really. We still don’t know exactly what Spielberg thinks of how streamed films should be dealt with at the Oscars. Perhaps he really does think they should be banned and perhaps he really does dislike Netflix.
But considering his actions, that’d be quite a strange stance to take and nothing he’s said so far suggests he believes it. If there’s anything that can be drawn from this debate, it’s that everyone should wait for clear statements and consider them with clear minds before jumping to conclusions that may not be true.
I missed the boat on this one a bit, but last month it was revealed that David Newman will score Steven Spielberg’s new version of West Side Story.
John Williams is, of course, Spielberg’s go-to composer, but with West Side Story hitting cinemas in 2020 and a new Star Wars film out at the end of 2019, there’s a clash in Williams’ schedule.
David Newman is part of a film music dynasty. His father Alfred composed classics such as Wuthering Heights, All About EveandHow The West Was Won, while his brother Thomas worked with Spielberg in 2015, when he scored Bridge of Spies.
West Side Story marks the fifth time Spielberg has made a film without Williams, following Duel, The Color Purple, Bridge of SpiesandReady Player One.
With Spielberg’s new version of West Side Story on its way, I take a look at the director’s long-held wish to direct a musical and some of the attempts he’s made along the way.
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Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner met with Puerto Ricans in the run-up to Christmas to address concerns about their forthcoming new take on West Side Story.
The famous musical depicts racial tensions between white and Puerto Rican gangs in New York, and there’s concern among some that Spielberg and Kushner’s involvement - over that of Puerto Ricans - is problematic.
Both men sought to answer questions from 60 invitees to the University of Puerto Rico on December 14th, with Spielberg saying that he is striving for authenticity and that the film will act as a criticism of the Donald Trump administration.
“This will always be Romeo and Juliet,” Spielberg said. “But it also speaks a lot to what’s happening today in terms of what’s happening at the borders. It’s very relevant today to essentially the rejection of anyone who isn’t white. And that’s a big part of our story.”
However, some of those at the meeting were not convinced by the answers. One - Isel Rodriguez, a theater history and acting professor at the university - spoke eloquently about the problems with the musical.
“It’s beautiful music. And dancing. And it’s Romeo and Juliet. What’s not to like? But if you think about it, and you don’t have to think too hard, you kind of see, hmm, something’s off here.”
This is likely to be the first of many important conversations about the film, and it’s encouraging to see that Spielberg and Kushner are taking these concerns so seriously.
More comments from the event can be seen at The Hollywood Reporter
Newcomer Rachel Zegler will play Maria in Steven Spielberg’s new take on West Side Story.
The 17-year-old beat more than 30,000 other hopefuls to the role after months of open casting calls. She’s joined in the film by Ansel Elgort, who’ll play her star-crossed lover Tony, and the newly-announced Ariana DeBose (as Anita), David Alvarez (Bernardo) and Josh Andres Rivera (Chino).
Spielberg said: “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.
“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.”
“I am so thrilled to be playing the iconic role of Maria alongside this amazing cast,” said Zegler. “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.”
Rita Moreno will follow her turn in the original West Side Story with a role in Steven Spielberg’s new adaptation.
Moreno played Anita in Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins’ iconic 1961 film and will appear in Spielberg’s take as Valentina, a gender-swapped and expanded version of the Doc character.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself revisiting this seminal work,” Moreno said. “And to be asked by Steven Spielberg to participate is simply thrilling! Then to work together with the brilliant playwright, Tony Kushner – what a glorious stew! I am tingling!”
Moreno will also executive produce the film, and Spielberg confirmed that her involvement has been planned since the project’s beginning.
"From our earliest discussions, we wanted to include Rita Moreno in our production,” he said. “Her Anita is one of the greatest musical performances ever filmed, and a personal favorite of mine.
“We created an original role for her, and we feel beyond fortunate that Rita will bring her extraordinary gifts as an actress, as well as her deep understanding of ‘West Side Story’ to this production as an executive producer.”
West Side Story is lined up to shoot next summer and release in 2020.
La La Land Records is releasing a 25th Anniversary Edition of John Williams’ score for Schindler’s List. You can buy it from Tuesday 27th November.
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A new look at DC’s forthcoming film adaptation of Aquaman has revealed an interesting sequence that bears a few similarities to the Bagghar chase seen in Spielberg’s Tintin.Sleepy Skunk on Twitter was the first to notice the links.
You can see the Tintinchasehere (pay particular attention from 3.59 on) and the Aquaman footage from 3.41 here.
While I’m not in any way suggesting there’s any plagiarism here, both scenes are set in a similar location and both make heavy use of single takes to capture the action.
What’s more, the sequence is built around a chase from building to building - often causing said buildings damage along the way - and a major moment with a slow motion jump.
TheTintin sequence is one of my favourite uses of CG technology, and if indeed it has proved an inspiration for director James Wan in his film, I can’t think of a better sequence to be inspired by.
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Justin Peck will act as choreographer on Steven Spielberg’s new version of West Side Story.
Spielberg has been aiming to make a musical for decades and has been speaking openly about a new version of the Robert Wise/Jerome Robbins film since 2014.
Tony Kusher has written the script and open casting calls have been put out in recent months to find the leads and dancers for the Sharks and Jets gangs.
Peck will marshal those dancers and brings with him a wealth of experience and accolades, having been Resident Choreographer of the New York City Ballet since 2014.
He recently won Best Choreography at the 2018 Tony Awards for his work on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel.
Spielberg’s new take on West Side Story is casting for dancers according to Playbill.
A casting call for the lead roles went out in April this year, and now it seems the director’s on the hunt for the rest of the Sharks and the Jets.
The casting call will take place on Tuesday September 11th. All applicants need to be between 15 and 25 years old and must be able to sing and dance.
The notice stipulates that the Sharks are Latinx and the Jets are Caucasian.
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Schindler’s List will be re-released in December to mark the 25th anniversary of its debut in 1993.
One of Spielberg’s greatest and most important works, the film has been given a new trailer (above) and poster, which can be seen on Entertainment Weekly.
“A story of courage that the world needs now more than ever,” is the poster’s moving tagline.
Additionally, La La Land Records will be releasing a special edition of John Williams’ score.
In a statement, Spielberg said: “It is difficult to believe that it’s been 25 years since Schindler’s List first arrived in theaters.
"The true stories of the magnitude and tragedy of the Holocaust are ones that must never be forgotten, and the film’s lessons about the critical importance of countering hatred continue to reverberate today.
"I am honored that audiences will be able to experience the journey once again on the big screen.”
Referencing one of his favourite films - William Wyler’s post-war masterpiece The Best Years Of Our Lives - Spielberg told EW: “I think we found a door to allow people to talk about the consequences of hatred in all its forms in a more open way.
"Films have that capacity to move people to explore and understand the most tragic and horrific events in history, and at the same time to highlight the resiliency of the human spirit.
”[That] was a film I believe opened a conversation, made people view each other differently, and had an impact on a generation.
“I hope Schindler’s List did and still does that in its own way.”
The film is unaltered for its re-release, save for the addition of Dolby Atmos and 7.1 sound to bring it in line with current cinematic technology. Visually, it will be presented in Dolby Vision laser projection.
The film will hit cinemas on Thursday 7th December.
Find out more about Steven Spielberg’s ongoing work to commemorate the Holocaust and other genocides at the USC Shoah Foundation.
Indiana Jones 5 (2023, dir. James Mangold)
Steven SpielbergPresents
Poltergeist (1982, dir. Tobe Hooper)
Release Date:October 2022
The Lost World: JP (1997, dir. Steven Spielberg)
Deleted Shot
33 Years Ago…
Schindler’s List(1993)
14 Years Ago…
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008, dir. Steven Spielberg)
Jurassic World Dominion(2022)
Steven Spielberg,River Phoenix,Harrison Fordand George Lucason the set ofIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).
West Side Story (2021, dir. Steven Spielberg)
Steven Spielbergshot most of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrialfrom the eye-level of a child to create a stronger connection with Elliot and the titular alien…
Maestro(dir.Bradley Cooper)
Executive Producer: Steven Spielberg&Martin Scorsese
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