‘West Side Story’ film trailer released, starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler

The musical film adaptation will be in cinemas this December.

During an advertisement break in the 93rd Academy Awards, a trailer for the upcoming film adaptation of West Side Story was released. The new film adaptation of West Side Story will eventually be screened in cinemas from Dec. 10, 2021, after it was pushed back by a year.

Inspired by William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story sees two rival gangs battle one another in 1950s New York City. West Side Story features music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, with songs including "Tonight", "America" and "Somewhere."

Casting for the new West Side Story film includes Ansel Elgort as Tony and Rachel Zegler as Maria. The Prom's Ariana DeBose plays Anita, with David Alvarez as Bernardo, Mike Faist as Riff, Josh Andrés Rivera as Chino, Ana Isabelle as Rosalía, Corey Stoll as Lieutenant Schrank, Brian d'Arcy James as Officer Krupke and Rita Moreno as Valentina.

West Side Story made its Broadway premiere at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1957, where it ran for two years. It's since been revived three times, with its latest reincarnation directed by Ivo van Hove. West Side Story is currently suspended at the Broadway Theatre, but "reveals the durability of the musical, depth and beauty of the songs and the stubbornly evergreen message" according to New York Theatre Guide. 

West Side Story is in cinemas from December 10. You can watch the West Side Story trailer below. 

^{Photo credit: Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler (Photo by Niko Tavernise for Twentieth Century Studios)}