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Nov. 28 (UPI) -- West Side Story star Rita Moreno is joining a remake of the classic film. Variety confirmed the 86-year-old actress will appear in Steven Spielberg's reboot of the 1961 musical. Moreno will also serve as an executive producer.
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Deadline said Moreno will play Valentina, a reimagined and expanded version of the character Doc. The actress portrayed Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend and Maria's best friend, in the original movie.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself revisiting this seminal work. And to be asked by Steven Spielberg to participate is simply thrilling!" she said. "I am tingling!"
West Side Story is based on the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name. The original film adaptation was directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and starred Moreno, Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer.
Spielberg will begin filming the new West Side Story in summer 2019.
"From our earliest discussions, we wanted to include Rita Moreno in our production," the director said.
"We created an original role for her, and we feel fortunate that Rita will bring her extraordinary gifts as an actress, as well as her deep understanding of West Side Story to this production," he added.
Moreno presently portrays Lydia on Netflix's reboot of One Day at a Time.
