After 60 years the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks is back on the big screen, under the direction of one of the biggest blockbuster filmmakers of all time, and set for a big opening.
» West Side Story,» 20th Century Studios’ remake of the 1961 classic musical, hits theaters this weekend and is expected to have a roughly $15 million opening in North America. That would be a strong start for the film, which stars Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler and is directed by Steven Spielberg. But thanks to Spielberg and stellar reviews that are sparking significant Oscar buzz, «West Side Story» could even exceed those solid expectations this weekend. Theaters and Hollywood will keep a close eye on «West Side Story,» as industry is trying to end 2021 with momentum after a year in which some big movies returned to theaters and others went straight to streaming. Typically the box office wins go to big brands like Harry Potter and Marvel, rather than big names in the cast and crew. But with «West Side Story,» it’s the director himself who may bring in the audience. The Spielberg factor and Oscar buzz Spielberg is arguably the most famous director in the history of cinema, credited with creating the very concept of the blockbuster itself with 1975’s «Jaws.» Spielberg’s films — which include such megahits as «Raiders of the Lost Ark,» «E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial» and «Jurassic Park» — have tallied more than $4.
