Though he took a longer than usual breather following 2012’s “Lincoln,” Steven Spielberg is getting back into his ever busy, prolific state of mind. This fall he starts shooting a Cold War era thriller starring Tom Hanks, and after that, he’s got the Roald Dahl adaptation “The BFG” cooking to go next. But remember those reports in the spring that the director was eyeballing a redo of Robert Wise‘s classic “West Side Story“? Well, it would seem it’s still on the brain.
In a recent interview on “Good Morning America” alongside Oprah Winfrey to promote “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” the director was asked about “West Side Story,” and he confirmed it was something he was still interested in. “Well you know something, ‘West Side Story’ is one of my favourite Broadway musicals and one of the greatest pieces of musical literature, my goodness, one of the greatest scores and some of the greatest lyrics ever written for a musical so just let me put it this way: it’s on my mind,” he said. And it’s kinda curious in that statement he didn’t once mention the 1961 movie….
Meanwhile, the folks at Film Divider share some intel on the adaptation of “The BFG,” and what changes are coming to Dahl’s tale. The lead character of Sophie will now be in boarding school — not an orphanage — and will have a best friend, while additional characters include a pair of scientists who debate over whether or not giants exist. These seem to be careful changes to the original work that will hopefully still keep the spirit of the book intact.
Thoughts? Is there anything else you’d rather Spielberg be working on? Let us know below.
I\’ll also add that NOBODY, including Mr. Spielberg, could be trusted with doing a re-make of the film West Side Story.
Here\’s hoping that Spielberg leaves the idea of re-making the film West Side Story and does something else, like maybe making a movie of "In the Heights", or Robopocalypse. West Side Story is a great golden oldie-but-keeper of a Classic film that is what it is and should be left untouched…and alone. Mr. Spielberg, if you\’re out there listening, DO NOT MESS WITH A CLASSIC LIKE WEST SIDE STORY! Ever heard the expression "If it ain\’t broke, don\’t fix it"? That quote applies here..perfectly!
Frankly, I\’d rather see Steve Spielberg leave the film "West Side Story" alone and find something else to work on/with. West Side Story is a special classic all of its own, which should be left as it, and NOT re-made, by ANYBODY, including Spielberg.
A remake of the film version of West Side Story, by anybody, including Spielberg, imho, would be nothing short of a disaster, because it would just cut the heart and soul right out of this beautiful classic film. Mr. Spielberg, if you\’re listening, PLEASE leave this great film alone, don\’t mess with a classic, and find another film to your liking to remake.
West Side Story is a beautiful, golden oldie-but-keeper of a classic film that really should be left alone, because it is what it is, and nothing can beat the old, original classic, no matter what anybody says or thinks. Mr. Spielberg, if you really have as much affection for the film West Side Story as you say you do, the best way to show it is to NOT mess with this great classic, leave well enough alone, and to find something else to re-make. Thanks.
Cool, but what about Indy 5 ?
Musicals should never be re-made. I know people stage them all over the world with new casts and new ideas but that's inevitable on the stage. On the screen we should be left alone with our memories. Not a good idea Steven, as good a director that you are.
Let's get to work on the Indiana Jones reboot.
I really hope it's true that Spielberg is directing a film about Cortez and the Aztecs (Montezuma)!!!
I'm glad to here Spielberg will be teaming up with Tom Hanks again. Those two rarely do anything regrettable. I've always wanted to see Spielberg do a western flick, but I'd really love to see him do a film about the Indianapolis 500.
Robopocalypse and Napoleon
I'd rather have him working on Robopocalypse again…