Rita Moreno Will Sit In on ‘West Side Story’ Reboot Rehearsals and Doesn’t Care If She’s Intimidating

Now that the 1961 film West Side Story is being rebooted, with production expected to begin in 2019, original star Rita Moreno has the spotlight back on her and she’s making sure to keep an eye on all of the movie’s rehearsals — talk about making those actors nervous!

The Oscar winner, 87, recently sat down with People to talk about the new Steven Spielberg version of the film that put her on the map at age 30. And while the actress understands that after more than 50 years some things from the classic movie will be different, she still hopes not a lot is changed — even if she has to sit-in while the dancers practice, which is exactly what she plans to do. “I’ll be visiting rehearsals,” she told the outlet, joking that she will be saying, “You took that step out, are you crazy?”

When she was then told the dancers may be intimidated seeing the film’s iconic star there, the Oz alum simply said, “Tough darts!” Rita, who played Anita in the film, may be up there in age, but she can, just like Dick Van Dyke, still dance-it-up, and that’s why she will also star in the new version of the movie.

According to Deadline, Rita will be playing the part of Valentina, described as a “re-conceived and expanded” take on the owner of the corner store in which one of the lead characters, Tony, played by Ansel Elgort, works. Here’s what she told the outlet of getting to be part of the new take on the film. “Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself revisiting this seminal work,” she said. “And to be asked by Steven Spielberg to participate is simply thrilling! Then, to work together with the brilliant playwright Tony Kushner — what a glorious stew! I am tingling.”

We honestly can’t wait to see how this remake turns out!