Steven Spielberg‘s much-anticipatedWest Side Storyremakehas found its Maria in newcomerRachel Zegler.
Zegler is a 17-year-old high school student from New Jersey,Deadlinereports. According toher YouTube channel, she is a self-professed “theatre kid” who works as a wedding singer and has performed in starring roles in onstage productions likeBeauty and the Beast,The Little Mermaid,Thoroughly Modern Millieand more.
While the movie will mark Zegler’s onscreen debut, she has played Maria before on stage — an “iconic role” she is “humbled” to reprise on the silver screen, she toldDeadline.
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“I am so thrilled to be playing the iconic role of Maria alongside this amazing cast,” said Zegler, who will star oppositeAnsel Elgortas Tony, Ariana DeBose as Anita, David Alvarez as Bernardo, Josh Andrés Rivera as Chino andRita Moreno(Anita in the 1961 film) asValentina: a re-conceived and expandedversion of the character of Doc, the owner of the corner store in which Tony works.
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Zegler further expressed her gratitude for the opportunity on her Instagram account Monday, writing alongside a photo of thenewly announced cast members, “When I played Maria on stage a few summers ago, I never could have imagined that I’d be taking on the role again in Steven Spielberg’sWest Side Story.”
“I send a huge thank you to everyone who helped make this incredible dream a reality — I never could’ve done it alone,” she continued, calling out the cast members whom she is “so honored” to work alongside “in telling this impeccably poignant story.”
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The 1961 film adaptation won 10 Oscars, including Best Supporting Actress for Moreno, now 86, Best Picture and Best Director.
Spielberg’s adaptation ofWest Side Storyis set to begin filming in the summer of 2019.
source: people.com
