The cast list for Steven Spielberg's remake of "West Side Story" was released this week and it includes a 17-year-old New Jersey high schooler as Maria.
Her name is Rachel Zegler, and she will make her film debut alongside Ansel Elgort, who plays Tony; Rita Moreno (who won an Oscar for her original portrayal of Anita in 1961) as Valentina; Ariana DeBose as Anita; and David Alvarez as Bernardo.
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The film began casting back in January 2018, when they asked hopefuls from all around the world to submit videos online.
Zegler, who is Columbian-American and from Clifton, New Jersey, said she saw the notice on Twitter and submitted videos of herself singing "Tonight" and "Me Siento Hermosa," or "I Feel Pretty," according to Deadline.
"West Side Story" will be produced and directed by Spielberg and will be adapted from the original 1957 Broadway musical.
Filming will begin this summer.
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