With directorSteven Spielberg’sWest Side Storynow playing in theaters, I recently got to speak withCorey Stollabout making the fantastic remake. During the interview, he talked about what it was like meeting Spielberg for the first time, getting cast, seeing the level of detail when he arrived on set, why shooting in the bright and hot summer is a challenge, why makingWest Side Storywas such a special experience, when he realized a lot of people watchBillions, and more. In addition, he talked about what someone should watch first if they’ve never seen his work.
Based on the critically acclaimed 1957 Broadway musical with music by the legendaryLeonard Bernsteinand lyrics byStephen Sondheim,West Side Storyfirst made its way to the big screen in 1961. Directed byRobert WiseandJerome Robbins, with a screenplay byErnest Lehman, the film went on to win 10 out of the 11 Oscars it was nominated for, including Best Picture and Best Director, and is considered to be one of the best movie musicals of all time.
RELATED:Steven Spielberg and Rachel Zegler on ‘West Side Story’ and Which of Spielberg’s Films Changed the Most In the Editing Room
AsMatt wrote in his review, andeveryone else said on Twitter, Spielberg’s remake ofWest Side Storyis fantastic. He’s taken the story you know and added enough new flourishes to make this film more than a repaint of the original. In addition, the way he collaborated withJanusz Kaminskion the cinematography,Tony Kushneron the screenplay, and brought in so many talented actors to inhabit these classic roles, I don’t know anyone could walk out of the theater and not feel energized.West Side Storyalso starsRachel Zegler,Ansel Elgort,Ariana Debose,David Alvarez,Mike Faist,Brian d’ArcyJames, andRita Moreno. Spielberg also produces alongsideKristie Macosko KriegerandKevin McCollum.
Watch what Corey Stoll had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about.
