Even late into his career, Steven Spielberg is heading into new territory as a filmmaker. Fresh from entering the virtual reality frontier in his popcorn adventure Ready Player One, he’s about to tackle his first full-blown musical with a new take on West Side Story.
Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein’s musical is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, centred on rival gangs on the streets of New York. With the film now in production, 20th Century Fox has shared the first image of the all-new Sharks and Jets.
Front and centre are our star-crossed couple, Tony and Maria, this time played by Baby Driver’s Ansel Elgort and newcomer Rachel Zegler – and they’re flanked by the Jets on the left, and Sharks on the right.
The young cast largely consists of up-and-comers, but elsewhere the film has the likes of Corey Stoll and Brian d’Arcy James on board. Plus Rita Moreno, who starred as Anita in the 1961 version, returns in a reimagined role here as Valentina – owner of the corner story where lead Tony works, named ‘Doc’ in previous versions.
9 films to look forward to in 2019 slider with cover pic
1 of 10Swipe through to see which films you can look forward to in 2019...
2 of 10Toy Story 4
There were no dry eyes in the house at the end of Toy Story 3 - and whilst many were happy with how the trilogy finished, the new trailer has made fans realise that perhaps they do need another film in the series after all. Toy Story 4 will be released in the UK on 21st June 2019.
3 of 10Avengers: Endgame
The second part to the finale of the Avengers film series will be released next year. Following on from Infinity War where half the population of the world has been wiped out by Thanos - including a LOT of our favourite Avengers - how on earth will our heroes conquer the evil genius? Avengers: Endgame will be released in UK cinemas on 26th April 2019.
4 of 10Star Wars: Episode IX
There's also another major finale to a trilogy coming out next year in the form of Star Wars: Episode IX. After Rey was able to harness the Force, fans have been left wondering if they'll ever discover her true parentage - or whether she really is a nobody, as Kylo Ren said. It will be released on 20th December 2019.
5 of 10Dumbo
Disney are not holding back with their plans to give most of their old classic films the live-action treatment after the success of films like The Jungle Book, and Dumbo is now in the works. The trailer on its own had viewers weeping, so it's most likely to be a huge tear-jerker when it's released in the UK on 29th March 2019.
6 of 10The Lion King
Another Disney classic to be given a live-action makeover next year is The Lion King. Fans of the original were dubious over whether anything could compare to the 1994 animated film, but the star-studded voice cast has managed to turn people around. The Lion King will be released in the UK on 19th July 2019.
7 of 10It: Chapter 2
The sequel to the incredibly successful 2017 remake of It will be released next year, following the lives of the children after they've grown up. Although the child cast will still star, James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain and Bill Hader will take on the roles for the sequel. It: Chapter 2 will be released in the UK on 6th September 2019.
8 of 10Aladdin
2019 is going to be a huge year for the Disney live-action remakes, as Aladdin is also set to be released. Directed by Guy Ritchie, fans of the original cannot wait to see Will Smith's take on the Genie after it was originated by the late, great Robin Williams. Aladdin will be released in the UK on 24th May 2019.
9 of 10Men In Black: International
Men In Black: International will take the focus away from Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, and instead reunite Thor actors Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. Also starring Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson, the sequel will be released in the UK on 14th June 2019.
10 of 10Frozen 2
The first Frozen film was one of the most popular children's films of the decade, so it's no surprise that a sequel has been in the works since its release in 2013. Bringing back Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel as sisters Anna and Elsa, Frozen 2 will be released in the UK on 22nd November 2019.
Spielberg is working from a screenplay by Munich and Lincoln writer Tony Kushner, and is reteaming with his regular cinematographer Janusz Kaminski.
While Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins’ original 1961 film sets a stupendously high bar for Spielberg to cross, the latest resurgence in the popularity of big-screen musicals makes this the perfect time for one of the most iconic directors of all time to burst into song.
West Side Story will arrive in UK cinemas in December 2020.
NOW WATCH: Ansel Elgort and the cast of Baby Driver sing their favourite tracks
If you’re a sucker for the Spice Girls and love a bit of One Direction, you need heat Radio in your life.
We’re online at heatradio.com, and you can still get us on the free app on your Android, iPhone or tablet. Tune in on Freeview channel 716 on the telly or get us on your smart speaker by asking it to "play heat radio."