Dancer Maddie Ziegler Just Joined Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’ Cast

Maddie Ziegler is dusting off her leather jacket and dance moves to join Steven Spielberg’s next film.

The Dance Moms alum (remember that?) has officially signed on to portray a member of the Jets gang in Spielberg’s upcoming West Side Story remake.

The 16-year-old rose to prominence after dancing in several of Sia’s music videos and will be joined by Tony nominee Mike Faist (Dear Evan Hansen) in the cast. Faist will play Riff, the leader of the Jets, and will star opposite Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver), who is set to portray the male lead, Tony. Newcomer Rachel Zegler will play Maria and Puerto Rican singer and actress Ana Isabelle will play her friend Rosalia.

Additionally, original cast member Rita Moreno joins the remake of the 1961 film as Valentina (she originally played Anita). Ariana DeBose (So You Think You Can Dance) is set to play Anita, David Alvarez (Billy Elliot the Musical) will play Bernardo, Corey Stoll (House of Cards) will play Lieutenant Schrank, Brian d’Arcy James (Spotlight) will play Sergeant Krupke and newcomer Josh Andrés Rivera will play Chino.

Judging from the younger members of the cast, it seems Spielberg opted for theater and music experience over traditional movie expertise.

Filming is set to begin this summer, with Justin Peck choreographing the iconic dance scenes. Spielberg will direct and produce the film and Pulitzer Prize-winner Tony Kushner will adapt the Broadway musical for the big screen.

We can’t wait to see how it turns out. Now we’re off to play “I Feel Pretty” on repeat for the rest of the week.