Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Trailer Debuts at the 2021 Oscars
Starring Rachel Zelger as Maria and Ansel Elgort as Tony.
Three years ago, Steven Spielberg revealed that he was working on a film adaptation of 1961 musical West Side Story. Now, the trailer of the director’s take on an all-time classic is finally here, which officially premiered at the 2021 Oscars.
The upcoming movie stars emerging 17-year-old actor Rachel Zelger as Maria and Ansel Elgort as Tony. Inspired by the love story of Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story follows two star-crossed lovers Maria and Tony who are a part of different rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. As a result, this puts both of them in a difficult situation – will they end up choosing love or loyalty?
“This has been a journey without precedence: a joyful, stunning, moving, endlessly surprising encounter with the story and score of one of the world’s greatest musicals,” Spielberg stated in a letter to his audience after wrapping up the project. “We filmed West Side Story all over New York, Flatbush to Fort Tryon Park. The city lent us its beauty and its energy, and we drew deeply upon its grand multicultural, multifaceted spirit.”
During the movie’s production, reports stated back in 2020 that Elgort was accused of sexually assaulting a woman named Gabby, who was 17 years old at the time. After the alleged traumatic experience, Gabby now suffers from PTSD. The actor responded to Gabby’s claim and said her “description of events is simply not what happened.” Up to this day, Elgort has not shared any other details about his association with Gabby.
Watch the full trailer above. Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story is set to premiere on December 10.
