The latest trailer for Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story was released on September 15th and it appears just as grandiose as the Academy award-winning classic musical. The clip, which is just over two minutes long, depicts the traditional story of forbidden romance between Tony (Ansel Elgort) with Maria (Rachel Zegler), as well as the rivalry between the Jets and Sharks. Despite being a replica of the 1961 film, Spielberg’s rendition is not a carbon copy, as evidenced by the bright, stylish teaser, which features new sequences and language from legendary scenes.
It all starts with newbie Rachel Zegler’s Maria humming the first few bars of “Tonight” a cappella from her fire exit. She then remarks, “This is my first time in New York City,” offering the spectators a sample of Tony-winner Tony Kushner’s revised screenplay. “I want to feel content in this place. I want to start a family.”
Following that, a whirling montage shows Maria making preparations for the event that will alter her life—where she would meet Ansel Elgort’s Tony and thus further fuel the rival gangs’ warfare seen between Jets and the Sharks. The teaser is low on drama (and Tony), but big on the legendary 1950s imagery and soundtrack that helped make the previous West Side Story an immediate classic as well as Oscar winner for best film. While Leonard Bernstein’s renowned score surges beneath us, we watch pieces of the dancing in the gymnasium as well as the build-up to the rumble.
Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Josh Andrés Rivera, Corey Stoll, and Brian d’Arcy James also appear in West Side Story. Rita Moreno, who won an Academy Award for her role in the original movie, reprises her role in the adaptation.
The 20th Century film was completed in October 2019, but its premiere has already been postponed several times owing to the pandemic. The script was written by Tony Kushner, with Spielberg, Kristie Macosko Krieger, and Kevin McCollum producing.
The film West Side Story will be released in theatres on December 10th.