Entertainment Movies See the Original 'West Side Story' Cast Side-by-Side with the New Stars From Rachel Zegler to Ansel Elgort, meet the 2021 'West Side Story' cast compared to their 1961 counterparts By Kelsie Gibson Kelsie Gibson Kelsie Gibson is the SEO Editor of PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2021. She was formerly at POPSUGAR, Bustle, Tiger Beat and Her Campus. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 8, 2023 08:30PM EDT Close Photo: Mary Evans/AF Archive/Kobal/Wireimage; Niko Tavernise /© 20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection West Side Story first graced the big screen in 1961. In 2021, Steven Spielberg became the latest director to remake the original for a new generation, starring brand-new faces in the leading roles. The newest film adaptation (based on the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name and inspired by Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet) follows Maria and Tony, two teenagers who fall in love in 1950s New York City, despite being from different backgrounds. While the 2021 film featured a fresh set of young actors playing Tony, Maria and more, it still paid tribute to its roots. Rita Moreno — who played Anita in the original movie — depicted a newly created character named Valentina in Spielberg's film and even served as executive producer. Ready for a trip down memory lane? See the original actors side-by-side with the new stars below. West Side Story Remake Praised by Critics: 'Spielberg Topped the Original' Maria: Natalie Wood and Rachel Zegler Silver Screen Collection/Getty; 0th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett Natalie Wood originally played Maria in the 1961 film. Even though the late Oscar-nominated actress had many notable roles throughout her career, including Miracle on 34th Street, Splendor in the Grass and Gypsy, her part in West Side Story is often regarded as one of her greatest. Beating out 30,000 candidates, Rachel Zegler scored the role of Maria at just 17 years old in 2019. The film marked her feature film debut, and she went on to win a Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical. Zegler has since starred in the 2023 blockbuster Shazam! Fury of the Gods and will lead the upcoming Snow White live-action remake. Tony: Richard Beymer and Ansel Elgort everett; Niko Tavernise /© 20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett Richard Beymer originally played Tony in the 1961 classic, for which he received two Golden Globe nominations for most promising newcomer and best actor in a comedy or musical. Beymer later played Ben Horne on Twin Peaks opposite his former West Side Story costar Russ Tamblyn. Following roles in The Fault in Our Stars, Baby Driver and the Divergent film series, Ansel Elgort played the lead role of Tony in the 2021 adaptation. Elgort has starred on HBO Max's Tokyo Vice since his turn as the former Jets member. Riff: Russ Tamblyn and Mike Faist United Artists/Getty; Patrick Higgins, 2021. © 20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett After roles in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Peyton Place, which earned him an Oscar nomination in 1958, Tamblyn (yes, Amber Tamblyn's dad) played Riff, the leader of the Jets gang. In the '90s, he went on to star as Dr. Lawrence Jacoby on Twin Peaks. Mike Faist is no stranger to musical theater. Before starring as Riff, the actor made his Broadway debut in 2012 as Morris Delancey in Disney's Newsies and originated the role of Connor Murphy in the Broadway production of Dear Evan Hansen, earning his first Tony Award nomination in 2017. Anita: Rita Moreno and Ariana DeBose Silver Screen Collection/Getty; Niko Tavernise / © 20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett Moreno famously played Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend and Maria's best friend, in 1961's West Side Story. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role (though she's since expressed regrets over the skin-darkening makeup she had to wear). Since West Side Story, she has had an extensive career in film and theater and is one of few performers to receive an EGOT (an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony). In the 2021 adaptation, Moreno played a new character named Valentina — the owner of her late husband's drugstore and Tony's confidant. Like Faist, Ariana DeBose also has a background in musical theater. Before her Oscar-winning performance as Anita in Spielberg's adaptation, she made her Broadway debut in 2012 in Bring It On: The Musical. She later performed in Motown: The Musical, Pippin and Hamilton. DeBose also starred as Donna Summer in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, receiving a Tony nomination in 2018 for best featured actress in a musical. Following West Side Story, she appeared on HBO's Westworld and Apple TV+'s Schmigadoon! Bernardo: George Chakiris and David Alvarez everett; Niko Tavernise /© 20th Century Studios / Courtesy Everett George Chakiris was a well-known dancer in Hollywood (known for his performance in Marilyn Monroe's "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" number and White Christmas) before landing the role of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks gang. In 1962, Chakiris won both an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe for best supporting actor – motion picture. Before starring as Bernardo, David Alvarez played one of the original Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical. He later became one of the youngest Tony Award winners for best actor in a leading role in a musical. Alvarez took time off from performing to join the Army but returned to the stage in Broadway's On the Town.