Steven Spielberg and his cast and crew have been hard at work on their new version of West Side Story, and now the curtain has fallen on at least the shooting stage of production. The director shared some behind-the-scenes images and a letter of heartfelt thanks for the efforts of all involved on Twitter.
Inspired by Romeo And Juliet, West Side Story re-sets the feuding families become as warring New York City gangs – the white Jets led by Riff (Mike Faist) and the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo (David Alvarez). Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding. But when Riff's best friend (and former Jet) Tony and Bernardo's younger sister Maria (Rachel Zegler) meet at a dance, no one can do anything to stop their love. Maria and Tony begin meeting in secret, planning to run away. Ansel Elgort is on as Tony, while Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for the 1961 original film, will be Valentina, a re-conceived and expanded version of original corner store owner Doc, who employs Tony in a local store.
Spielberg's take will be in our cinemas on 18 December next year via 20th Century Fox (AKA Disney). And here's Everything You Need To Know.