Tag: Ansel Elgort

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First Look: New Spielberg Revamp Of ‘West Side Story’

Still from the upcoming 2021 revamp of West Side Story
Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in West Side Story (credit: Niko Tavernise/20th Century Studios)
In addition to seeing the legend herself, Rita Moreno, present on last night’s Oscars, viewers were also treated to the first look at the upcoming film reboot of West Side Story. Directed by Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Tony Kushner, West Side Story reinvents the classic Romeo and Juliet story seen through the lens of fierce gang rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. With the focus on young lovers Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler), sharing the spotlight are territorial gangs Sharks and Jets pulsing with youhtful angst and a desire to find ‘somewhere’ they can belong. I know I have a lot of readers who love Broadway musicals. Having performed WSS several times (playing just about every Jet from Riff to Action to Snowboy to Baby John) as well as staging the show, this looks to be amazing. I got chills watching this quick sneak peek. From 20th Century Studios, The Walt Disney Company will release West Side Story in US theaters on December 10, 2021. Can’t wait! The luminous Moreno (who scored one of the original 1961 film’s 10 Oscars) not only plays the role of ‘Valentina’ in gender-flipped casting of the local drug store owner ‘Doc,’ but is an executive producer on the film.

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News Round-Up: April 22, 2020

Ansel Elgort (image via IMDB)
Some news items you might have missed: • Entertainment Weekly: Actor Ansel Elgort (above) left the internet shook Tuesday night when he shared a revealing photo via social media with the caption, “OnlyFans LINK IN BIO.” Turns out the link actually directed his fans to a crowdfunding campaign “Brooklyn For Life!” to help feed those working on the frontlines at hospitals in Brooklyn, New York. • Radio.com: During an appearance on “I’m Listening: Stay Connected,” Walking Dead star Daniel Newman shared that, thanks to homophobia, sexuality played a deeply negative role in his life growing up as a gay man. He said he was told from childhood “that sex is private, you don’t talk about it, gay people are weird, it’s gonna ruin your career if you say anything. And on top of that, it’s nobody’s business, so just keep your mouth shut. So I felt the weight of that since I was a child.” • The Hill: Nineteen people who either voted in-person or worked at a polling location during Wisconsin’s state elections have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, the state’s health department told The Hill. • SiriusXM: From Blythe Danner to Demi Lovato, the “Will & Grace” cast shares stories on guest stars during a virtual town hall with Jess Cagle.

• The Daily Beast: A company Trump personally championed — even as it’s under investigation by the Defense Department inspector general – has been awarded a $7.6 million contract to build “800 linear feet” bollard barrier—that slatted design Trump favors—for the wall in Yuma, Arizona. • Washington Post: Former vice president Joe Biden said he intends to name a panel of advisers by May 1 to help him select a running mate. He says that he wants the public to be able to see his pick as “capable of being president of the United States tomorrow.” • Texas Tribune: El Paso Mayor Dee Margo on Tuesday said city officials should probably consider suing President Trump’s campaign to recoup more than $500,000 in expenses incurred during a rally last year. The city spent about $470,000 on security and other costs for a Trump rally in South El Paso in February 2019. Thirteen other cities are also waiting on repayment from the Trump campaign. • Out Music: Randy Report favorite Tom Goss drops this fun, light-hearted new music video, “Dancing In My Room,” with Natalie Jane, Sam Renascent, and Max Emerson. “This infectious, feel-good video features people of all ages and backgrounds across 10 different countries and 5 continents — and reminds those struggling and in need of community that they are not alone,” says Goss. “The single is available in English, Spanish, and French with rap features in different languages from artists on different continents. All proceeds from “Danser dans ma chambre Dancing in My Room” will go to United Way Worldwide.

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News Round-Up: October 2, 2018

InstaHunk Thiago Oliveira

Some news items you might have missed:

• Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco was this weekend – check out InstaHunk Thiago Oliveira’s (above) account for some visual highlights 😉

•The manager of NYC gay bar Monsters has quit amid uproar over racist tweets.

• Actor Jake Choi (ABC’s Single Parents) has come out as sexually fluid. “I’m attracted to everything.”

• Donald Trump’s net worth has declined by more than $1 billion since he launched his presidential campaign.

• Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver, The Fault in our Stars) has been cast to play “Tony” in the upcoming remake of West Side Story.

• ABC News reports four members of white supremacist group have been arrested “for committing various acts of violence” at the 2017 Charlottesville rally.

“These guys came to Charlottesville in order to commit violent acts, and it wasn’t the first time they’ve done it.” Watch below.