casting call

From Her First Cigarette to Her Last Dyin’ Day, Maddie Ziegler Will Play a West Side Story Jet

Maddie Ziegler. Photo: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Everyone’s favorite rival street gangs are getting ready to snap, jazzercise, and croon in the name of Steven Spielberg. Deadline confirmed today that the director has cast a slew of young actors, most with “no on-camera experience,” to fill out the Shark and Jet roles in his upcoming West Side Story film adaptation. This new round of casting includes Dance Moms alumna (and our first digital dance star) Maddie Ziegler and Broadway darling Mike Faist as Jets, as well as Puerto Rican dancer and actress Ana Isabelle in a supporting role as Maria’s friend, Rosalie. This trio joins the already confirmed Ansel Elgort as Tony, newbie Rachel Zegler as Maria, and Rita Moreno in a special role specifically written for her (obviously). Remember: Rita is always watching!

Maddie Ziegler Will Be a Jet in West Side Story