Though the 2021 Oscars ceremony is still underway, it’s already given a sneak peak at a potential Oscar contender for next season. The first teaser trailer for Steven Spielberg’s new film adaptation of the legendary West Side Story dropped during Sunday’s telecast.
Directed by Spielberg, the remake of the beloved musical stars Ansel Elgort and newcomer Rachel Zegler as the star-crossed teenage lovers Tony and Maria, as well as Tony nominee and Oscar preshow host Ariana DeBose as the fiery Anita. Underscored by Leonard Bernstein’s iconic score, shots of 1950s era New York unfurl as some of the most memorable moments immortalized in the best picture-winning film flash by, like the dance at the gymnasium where Tony and Maria first lock eyes, the rumble between dueling gangs the Jets and the Sharks, and the Romeo and Juliet inspired clandestine meeting on the fire escape. EGOT-winner Rita Moreno—who won an Oscar for portraying Anita in the 1961 film and serves as executive producer on the 2021 remake—also makes a brief appearance in the trailer as Valentina, the owner of the corner store where Tony works.
Whistle along to Bernstein’s iconic score and watch the first trailer West Side Story, which hits theaters on December 10, 2021.
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