With directorSteven Spielberg’sWest Side Storynow playing in theaters, I recently got to speak withAnsel Elgort(Tony) andMike Faist(Riff) about making the fantastic remake. During the interview, they talked about what it was like working with Spielberg andJanusz Kaminskion the cinematography, what it really takes to make a movie on this scale, what surprised them about working with Spielberg, what they wish more people knew about making a musical on this scale, which of their friends and family were the most excited hearing they’d been cast in a Spielberg movie, and more. In addition, Elgort shares a great story about whatDaniel Day-Lewisdid for Spielberg on the set ofLincoln.
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.
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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 with Janusz Kaminski on 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(Maria),Ariana Debose(Anita) andDavid Alvarez(Bernardo),Corey Stoll,Brian d’ArcyJames, andRita Moreno. Spielberg also produces alongsideKristie Macosko KriegerandKevin McCollum.
Watch what Ansel Elgort and Mike Faist had to say in the player above and exactly what we talked about is listed below.
Ansel Elgort and Mike Faist
