Disney-Fox has released the first official image fromSteven Spielberg’s next film, which is a new adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musicalWest Side Story. Spielberg maintains the setting and basic setup of the story—star-crossed lovers in 1950s New York City, inspired byRomeo and Juliet—but additional twists and turns may abound. The film reunites Spielberg with hisLincolnscreenwriterTony Kushner, and putsAnsel Elgortfront and center as Tony alongside newcomerRachel Zegleras Maria.
This debut image isn’t necessarily groundbreaking—it looks likeWest Side Story!—but it is a nice reminder that Spielberg is finally making a musical. The acclaimed filmmaker has long wished to delve into the musical genre, dipping his toes into those waters with the delightful prologue toIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. After having flirted with a new take onWest Side Storyfor years, he’s finally making it happen.
The film’s music team includes renowned conductorGustavo Dudamel, who will helm the recording ofLeonard Bernstein’s iconic score; Oscar-nominated composer and conductorDavid Newman(Anastasia) who will be arranging the score for the new adaptation; Tony-winning composerJeanine Tesori(Broadway’sFun Home), who will be working with the cast on vocals; and Grammy-nominated music supervisorMatt Sullivan(Beauty and the Beast), who will serve as executive music producer for the film.
The cast of the film is largely made up of new young performers, althoughCorey Stollfills the role of Lieutenant Schrank,Brian d’Arcy Jamesis Officer Krupke, andRita Moreno—who won an Oscar for playing Anita inRobert Wise’s 1961 film adaptation ofWest Side Story—plays the new role of Valentina while also serving as an executive producer.
Take a look at the firstWest Side Storycast image below followed by a teaser poster as the long wait for the film’s release continues. The film doesn’t hit theaters until August 04, 2025.
Pictured left to right in this image are: Jets members Anybodys (Ezra Menas), Mouthpiece (Ben Cook), Action (Sean Harrison Jones); Jets leader Riff (Mike Faist); Baby John (Patrick Higgins); Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler); Maria’s brother and Sharks leader Bernardo (David Alvarez); and Sharks members Quique (Julius Anthony Rubio), Chago (Ricardo Zayas), Chino (Josh Andrés Rivera), Braulio (Sebastian Serra) and Pipo (Carlos Sánchez Falú).
