Steven Spielbergs upcoming film adaptation of West Side Story—the classic musical about rival street gangs in 1950s New York City—has found its male lead, Ansel Elgort, and is on track for a summer production start. Still, the Oscar winner isnt quite ready to discuss the remake publicly.
“I dont like to talk about things when Im in the process. Im still discovering things as I am working on the film. But I think its going to be special,” said Spielberg at the Arthur Miller Foundation Honors in New York on Monday, where he turned out to support West Side Story screenwriter Tony Kushner—recipient of the foundations humanitarian award.
But unlike his collaborator, Kushner had plenty to say about the forthcoming movie. The playwright said that the new adaptation will not be an exact retelling of Robert Wises iconic 1961 film, starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris. Instead, Spielbergs version will turn back to the original 1957 Broadway musical written by Arthur Laurents, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
“Its not a straightforward remake [of the movie], but its definitely the Jets and the Sharks. Its New York City. I think people will find a new way to love the story and to love the songs through our interpretation,” said Kushner on the red carpet. “The way I approached it and the way Steven is approaching it is using the great text—the Leonard Bernstein score, which is arguably the most beautiful score ever written for musical theater, and Arthur Laurentss original book is a masterpiece. And we started building from that.”
Kushner, who also wrote the screenplays for Spielbergs Munich and Lincoln, explained that the new film will touch upon several themes of urban life in the late 1950s, and how issues of ethnic representation shaped and developed culture in that era. “I dont know if gritty is necessarily the right word, but there are aspects of urban life in 57, 58, 59 that werent touched on in the 1961 movie that we are focusing on,” said Kushner.
Some critics are against the idea of remaking West Side Story, arguing that the beloved original film—which won 10 Oscars, including best picture—should be left alone. Kushner, of course, disagrees. “Our version is not meant to wipe out the original film, which is a masterpiece. Its just meant to be a new interpretation,” he said.
The Pulitzer Prize winner added, “Go on Netflix or Amazon or wherever it is and download it and watch it. Youre crazy if you dont. Everybody will continue to watch that movie for all time. There are many different versions possible of a great work of art like West Side Story, and we are doing our own version.”
But while this will be a different spin on the timeless tale, rest assured: iconic Bernstein and Sondheim songs such as “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty,” and “America” will all be included in Spielbergs version. “No one will leave the movie without hearing all the classic songs,” Kushner said. He also noted that he has been working with Sondheim on the new film.
Spielberg surprised some Hollywood onlookers by choosing Elgort to play Jets gang member Tony—who falls for Maria, the sister of the leader of the Sharks—rather than an unknown. But Kushner said Elgort was simply the best person for the part.
“Hes a really amazing young actor. We really wanted to cast young, because its really a story about teenagers,” said Kushner. “Hes a wonderful singer, it turns out, and a really terrific dancer. Steven went with him, and were very excited. I think the rest of the cast is going to be very exciting too.”
Kushner remained mum, however, about who will star opposite Elgort—though former Fifth Harmony singer Camila Cabello, Liam Payne from One Direction, and Glee actress Naya Rivera are rumored to be auditioning for roles. Filming on Spielbergs adaptation is set to start in the summer of 2019.
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Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Full ScreenPhotos:10 Enchanting Movies and TV Shows About Witches
I Married a Witch
This overlooked 1942 gem stars Veronica Lake, she of the perfect side part, as a colonial Salem-era witch who gets burned at the stake, then reawakened hundreds of years later, determined to get revenge on a descendant of the family who tried to kill her. I Married a Witch is more rom-com than horror, a love story with a healthy serving of cauldrons and broomsticks. Its easy to fall under its spell. (On Filmstruck.)Photo: From Everett Collection.
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
If youre of a certain age and looking for a deep-cut nostalgia trip, Hulu has you covered with a Mary Kate and Ashley joint—one thats well worth revisiting if youre both a 90s kid and a fan of Cloris Leachman, who played the evil witch grandmother at the films center. As with most old media, some parts of the film have aged better than others—but the Olsen magic remains eternal. (On Hulu.)Photo: From Everett Collection.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Ah, yes, the classic cautionary tale about what happens when three college students venture into the woods to investigate local legends. Although this might not count as a witch movie in the typical sense, it would feel wrong to leave Blair Witch out of our selections—especially given its terrifying ending, which makes all the run-up worth it. (On Hulu.)Photo: From ©Artisan Entertainment/Everett Collection.
Charmed
One of the many network enchantments cast by Aaron Spelling is Charmed, a San Francisco-set drama about three sisters—originally played by Shannon Doherty, Alyssa Milano, and Holly Marie Combs—whose combined abilities make them the most powerful witches of all time. Before all you kids out there tuck into the CWs woke reboot, take a trip back to 1998 to see where it all began. (On Netflix.)Photo: From ©Viacom/Everett Collection.
Sabrina: The Teenage Witch
Netflix might have its own Sabrina adaptation on the way, but for now, Melissa Joan Hart still reigns supreme. Besides, even with the new Sabrina coming, this one will always have a place in our hearts; did you hear that the cat wont even talk in the new version? (On Hulu.)Photo: ©Viacom/Courtesy Everett Collection
Practical Magic
In this crunchy New England fall leaf of a film, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock play a pair of witchy sisters battling against a family curse that dooms any man they fall in love with to an early death. There are perfect autumnal Massachusetts vibes, plus Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as a pair of aunties who love to cackle over midnight margaritas. (On HBOGo.)Photo: From Everett Collection.
Honorable Mentions
If youve found yourself with enough money to pony up for a couple other rentals, here are some of our favorites that, alas, cannot be streamed for free: Kikis Delivery Service, The Craft, Eves Bayou, The Wizard of Oz, Hocus Pocus, and Bell Book and Candle.Photo: Clockwise from right; From Everett Collection, from Everett Collection, from ©Buena Vista/Everett Collection.PreviousNext
I Married a Witch
This overlooked 1942 gem stars Veronica Lake, she of the perfect side part, as a colonial Salem-era witch who gets burned at the stake, then reawakened hundreds of years later, determined to get revenge on a descendant of the family who tried to kill her. I Married a Witch is more rom-com than horror, a love story with a healthy serving of cauldrons and broomsticks. Its easy to fall under its spell. (On Filmstruck.)From Everett Collection.
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
If youre of a certain age and looking for a deep-cut nostalgia trip, Hulu has you covered with a Mary Kate and Ashley joint—one thats well worth revisiting if youre both a 90s kid and a fan of Cloris Leachman, who played the evil witch grandmother at the films center. As with most old media, some parts of the film have aged better than others—but the Olsen magic remains eternal. (On Hulu.)From Everett Collection.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Ah, yes, the classic cautionary tale about what happens when three college students venture into the woods to investigate local legends. Although this might not count as a witch movie in the typical sense, it would feel wrong to leave Blair Witch out of our selections—especially given its terrifying ending, which makes all the run-up worth it. (On Hulu.)From ©Artisan Entertainment/Everett Collection.
Charmed
One of the many network enchantments cast by Aaron Spelling is Charmed, a San Francisco-set drama about three sisters—originally played by Shannon Doherty, Alyssa Milano, and Holly Marie Combs—whose combined abilities make them the most powerful witches of all time. Before all you kids out there tuck into the CWs woke reboot, take a trip back to 1998 to see where it all began. (On Netflix.)From ©Viacom/Everett Collection.
The Love Witch
Written, directed, and produced by Anna Biller in 2016, this thriller is a painstaking ode to 1960s Technicolor filmmaking, from the era-appropriate cinematography to the mod wardrobe. The film stars Samantha Robinson as Elaine, a witch who heads to northern California in search of a new life—and a new lover—after the death of her husband. Biller cleverly plays with gender norms in The Love Witch, crafting a horror story with a welcome feminist message. (On Amazon Prime.)From ©Oscilloscope/Everett Collection.
The Covenant
This might be the thirstiest warlock film ever made—and if its not, its close. While it does not have much in the way of plot, this supernatural thriller offers plenty of eye candy to make up for its aimlessness: a young(er) Sebastian Stan and Taylor Kitsch, as well as Chace Crawford, just ahead of his Gossip Girl debut. Come for the heated swimming matches; stay for the dated special effects and wooden dialogue. (On Netflix.)From ©Screen Gems/Everett Collection.
The Witch
Robert Eggers grim, methodical debut feature about a terrified Puritan family in 1630s New England was the prestige horror movie of 2015, a carefully wrought blockbuster shepherded to the masses by nu-auteur nifflers A24. The film also served as a breakout for current reigning scream queen Anya Taylor-Joy, who played Thomasin, a teen girl who may or may not be the reason her family is cursed. (On Netflix.)From ©A24/Everett Collection.
Blair Witch (2016)
If you never saw the 2016 follow-up to the original 99 Blair Witch, theres no time like the present. Although the sequel never quite matches the soaring, scare-filled heights of its predecessor, it has some memorable jump scares and body horror—and sometimes, thats all you really need. (On Hulu.)©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection
Sabrina: The Teenage Witch
Netflix might have its own Sabrina adaptation on the way, but for now, Melissa Joan Hart still reigns supreme. Besides, even with the new Sabrina coming, this one will always have a place in our hearts; did you hear that the cat wont even talk in the new version? (On Hulu.)©Viacom/Courtesy Everett Collection
Practical Magic
In this crunchy New England fall leaf of a film, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock play a pair of witchy sisters battling against a family curse that dooms any man they fall in love with to an early death. There are perfect autumnal Massachusetts vibes, plus Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as a pair of aunties who love to cackle over midnight margaritas. (On HBOGo.)From Everett Collection.
Honorable Mentions
If youve found yourself with enough money to pony up for a couple other rentals, here are some of our favorites that, alas, cannot be streamed for free: Kikis Delivery Service, The Craft, Eves Bayou, The Wizard of Oz, Hocus Pocus, and Bell Book and Candle.Clockwise from right; From Everett Collection, from Everett Collection, from ©Buena Vista/Everett Collection.
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