# Rita Moreno signed for Steven Spielberg's remake of "West Side Story" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 28, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205 "2018-11-28T14:26:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/1 "2018-11-28T14:26:35Z")
[Steven Spielberg is remaking West Side Story](https://slate.com/culture/2018/11/rita-moreno-west-side-story-cast-steven-spielberg-tony-kushner-remake.html), and the cast includes Rita Moreno. My jaw hit the floor when I heard this, and much as I don’t think classic movies should be remade, I will definitely see one! ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/2 "2018-11-28T14:31:00Z")
He’ll do a god enough job with it. At least George Lucas is staying out of it. 😃 And I totally read this the first time as “Rita Moreno signed for Steven King’s remake of ‘West Side Story’” I need coffee ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/3 "2018-11-28T14:33:38Z")
When I first heard the story, I thought someone had mixed up Steven Spielberg with composer Stephen Sondheim. One of my bucket list items is for those two creative types to get together. And it’s happening!! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/4 "2018-11-28T14:55:23Z")
Even with Spielberg running things, there is every opportunity to ruin one of the best musicals ever produced for film. It’s definitely not going to be on my watch list. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/5 "2018-11-28T15:13:58Z")
The movie is closing in on 60 years old. It was a masterpiece, but modernizing it might introduce a new audience to the movie and whatever music they retain. I imagine some people complained about the play and the movie as just ruining one of the Bard’s best plays. My kids who greatly enjoy some older movies like Singing in the Rain or Bringing up Baby, had little use for the classic West Side Story. I won’t go to the movies for it, but I’ll probably give it a try when it hits TV/streaming. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/6 "2018-11-28T15:53:10Z")
Yeah, can’t wait to see the Bloods and Crips flamboyantly snapping their fingers in unison. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/7 "2018-11-28T16:32:23Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Yeah, can’t wait to see the Bloods and Crips flamboyantly snapping their fingers in unison. Next up: a remake of Oklahoma!, starring Kanye West and a Kardashian. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/8 "2018-11-28T17:15:20Z")
SCENE: Kanye lying in his bed, just waking up. He begins to sing… Ho, what a beautiful morning Ho, what a beautiful day I got a beautiful feeling Ho’s will keep coming my way. ENTER: Kim ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/9 "2018-11-28T17:38:52Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > SCENE: Kanye lying in his bed, just waking up. He begins to sing… > > Ho, what a beautiful morning > Ho, what a beautiful day > I got a beautiful feeling > Ho’s will keep coming my way. > > ENTER: Kim Reported For winning the internet! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/10 "2018-11-28T17:55:47Z")
Stage plays are meant to be done many different times, with many different casts. And made into many different films. It might suck. It might be great. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/11 "2018-11-28T18:05:03Z")
Holy smokes! One of my all time favorite movies! I’m anxious, but also excited. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/12 "2018-11-28T18:07:03Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The movie is closing in on 60 years old. It was a masterpiece, but modernizing it might introduce a new audience to the movie and whatever music they retain. I imagine some people complained about the play and the movie as just ruining one of the Bard’s best plays. > > My kids who greatly enjoy some older movies like Singing in the Rain or Bringing up Baby, had little use for the classic West Side Story. I think you put your finger on the problem. The original is very much of its time; the gang problems of late 1950s Manhattan seem quaint nowadays, with almost no mention of drugs, and no guns. Singing in the Rain and Bringing Up Baby were fantasies even for their time, and so don’t suffer from being dated. The songs and other music are what made this show; the linked story doesn’t say anything about any possible changes there. Can the other trappings be updated without making the songs obsolete? I suppose if anyone can thread this needle, probably Spielberg will at least make a good effort. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/13 "2018-11-28T18:11:15Z")
I agree: The story is dated; the music is wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/14 "2018-11-28T18:16:50Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I think you put your finger on the problem. The original is very much of its time; the gang problems of late 1950s Manhattan seem quaint nowadays, with almost no mention of drugs, and no guns. Singing in the Rain and Bringing Up Baby were fantasies even for their time, and so don’t suffer from being dated. > > The songs and other music are what made this show; the linked story doesn’t say anything about any possible changes there. Can the other trappings be updated without making the songs obsolete? I suppose if anyone can thread this needle, probably Spielberg will at least make a good effort. The basic plot is Romeo and Juliet which was already old when Shakespeare used it. I’m sure Spielberg can figure out two groups who can plausibly be portrayed as hating each other for a contemporary remake. Hell, just put her family in MAGA hats and make his family Bernie bros. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/15 "2018-11-28T18:17:54Z")
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it (on stage or the film). I don’t remember any older women characters. Possible Spielberg has created a new character just to work Moreno into the film? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/16 "2018-11-28T18:20:13Z")
If she keeps going, maybe she’ll achieve the special double-EGOT. Two Emmys, a Grammy and a Latin Grammy (which should count the same). So one more Oscar and Tony to go. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/17 "2018-11-28T18:27:32Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Even with Spielberg running things, there is every opportunity to ruin one of the best musicals ever produced for film. It’s definitely not going to be on my watch list. Fight ignorance. See it! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/18 "2018-11-28T18:31:38Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it (on stage or the film). I don’t remember any older women characters. > > Possible Spielberg has created a new character just to work Moreno into the film? Her character will replace that of the store keeper. Don’t recall his name. Won’t be too similar of a character, but fill the same spot in the story apparently. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/19 "2018-11-28T18:35:01Z")
_West Side Story_ is a period piece riff on _R&J_, yes, but there’s nothing wrong with period pieces. I think it holds up very well. I"ve seen it probably a dozen times (and I don’t generally like musicals). I’ll watch the new version. I won’t have high expectations, so hoping to be surprised on the upside! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205/20 "2018-11-28T18:52:23Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Her character will replace that of the store keeper. Don’t recall his name. Doc. They’re apparently going to expand the character’s role in the movie. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rita-moreno-signed-for-steven-spielbergs-remake-of-west-side-story/825205.md?page=2)