Steven Spielberg is helming the new take on the musical

Robert Wise and Jerome Roberts previously brought 'West Side Story' to the big screen in 1961.

With music and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, the movie won ten Oscars, including Best Picture.

Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in the 1961 movie, will play Valentina in the upcoming reboot. Valentina is a reconceived and expanded version of the character Doc, who owns the corner store where Tony works. Moreno also serves as executive producer.

Broadway fans will be delighted to hear that two veterans are joining the 'Sharks' as Anita and Bernardo. Ariana DeBose and David Alvarez will play the roles, respectively.

DeBose earned a Tony nomination last year for her portrayal of Donna Summer in 'Summer: The Donna Summer Musical'. She also featured in the original cast of 'Hamilton'.

Alvarez won a Tony in 2009 for originating the title role in 'Billy Elliot: The Musical'.

Meanwhile, Josh Andrés Rivera – a theatre performer who most recently appeared in the first national tour of 'Hamilton' – has been cast as Chino.

Furthermore, an unknown high school student will play Maria. 17 year-old Rachel Zegler makes her film debut in 'West Side Story'.

You can see some of Zegler's singing shared on Twitter below. Needless to say, she is extremely talented and it's easy to see how she earned the part.

 

Spielberg had put out an open casting call for the film in early 2018.

As a result, over 30,000 people from all over the world auditioned.

Spielberg will produce and direct 'West Side Story' from a script by Tony Kushner.

Filming is due to start in the summer of 2019.