Although Steven Spielberg's West Side Story has yet to dance its way into theaters and onto HBO Max, it sounds like the famed filmmaker has found his next directing gig. Reports are coming in that Spielberg has set an untitled pic at Amblin Partners that is loosely based on his childhood growing up in Arizona. Details are scarce at this time, though insiders say that Michelle Williams will star in a role inspired by Spielberg's mom but with a "separate and original voice."
In addition to directing the very personal project, Spielberg will co-write the screenplay with Tony Kushner, who has written several Spielberg films like Munich, Lincoln, and West Side Story. Filming is expected to begin next summer for a 2022 release.
In the past, Spielberg has spoken about how his time spent growing up in Arizona helped shape many of his stories and characters. There was even a 2017 HBO documentary that delved into his time living in the Grand Canyon state. That said, this new project gives Spielberg space to tell the tale from a whole new perspective, complete with all the personal touches. Considering that Spielberg is one of the most celebrated creatives in all of Hollywood, it will be exciting to see how he navigated early life and became one of the most influential filmmakers of all time.