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Why Steven Spielberg will not direct more musicals after ‘West Side Story’

“Over the last 40 years of my career, if not longer, I always said a musical was the one thing I haven’t done,” the director previously said.


Daniel Neira
Daniel Neira - Los Angeles
Senior WriterLos Angeles
MARCH 21, 2022 2:53 PM EDT

Steven Spielberg opens up about the success of his latest film West Side Story  and reveals he will not be directing more musicals after this one, causing many broadway and musical fans surprised about the announcement.

The 75-year-old filmmaker has had undeniable success throughout his career in Hollywood, exploring diferent genres and storylines, including ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Schindler’s List,’ ‘Indiana Jones’ and many more. And during a previous interview in 2021, the director said there were still two genres he wanted to explore.

“Over the last 40 years of my career, if not longer, I always said a musical was the one thing I haven’t done,” adding that “the one genre that I haven’t really tackled yet, is the Western. So, who knows, maybe I’ll be putting on spurs someday,” and confessing he had “a few in development right now, but who’s to say which one will spring to the forefront.”

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And while Spielberg seems to be moving on to a different genre, announcing the news at a PGA Awards breakfast on Saturday, he is not closing the door on producing musicals, as he is still involved in the musical remake ‘The Color Purple,’ which is set to star Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks, and is based on the Broadway musical that was adapted from the 1985 film that Spielberg directed.