'West Side Story' remake trailer: Rita Moreno returns to Oscar-winning musical

Watch the teaser for Steven Spielberg's West Side Story

Searchlight Pictures debuted the first trailer for Steven Spielberg's adaptation of West Side Story during the 2021 Oscars, shining a light on an Oscar-winning legend. And no, we don't mean Spielberg.

The first teaser for this new take on Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's iconic musical showcases EGOT winner Rita Moreno's return to the title which won her an Oscar in 1961.

Moreno, who also serves as one of the remake’s executive producers, won Best Supporting Actress portraying Anita in the much-loved original, and will now plays store owner Valentina in the Spielberg version. It's a gender-swapped version of the character Doc.

The atmospheric first trailer was released during Sunday night’s Oscars.

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Starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler as Tony and Maria, two lovers trapped on opposite sides of a New York gang war, the film will premiere later this year after being delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Viewers of the Academy Awards were treated to a first showing of the 90-second trailer, which features little dialogue and a slow version of 'Somewhere'.

West Side Story, originally a 1957 Broadway musical, marks the first time Spielberg has directed a musical film.

It will feature the songs from the 1961 version, with a new screenplay inspired by the original stage musical.

Originally planned for release at Christmas 2020, the film is now scheduled for release exactly 60 years after the original film was released in the US.

West Side Story will open in UK Cinemas on December 10, 2021.