After Filming ‘West Side Story’ Here, Spielberg Thanks NJ

PATERSON, NJ – After concluding filming of his “West Side Story” remake, director Steven Spielberg thanked Paterson, telling the community the production wouldn’t have been possible without their support.

This summer, the production transformed parts of Paterson into New York City, circa the late 1950s. Spielberg's adaptation of the 1961 movie musical has picked several places throughout the city to film, including many downtown storefronts and offices.

In a Sept. 28 letter, Spielberg said filming just concluded in New York, saying, “This has been a journey without precedence: a joyful, stunningly moving, endlessly surprising encounter with the story and score of one of the world’s greatest musicals.”

His letter was shared on Twitter by Rachel Zegler, the Clifton native who stars as Maria in the reboot.

In addition to thanking his cast and crew, the director expressed gratitude to the support the production received.

"We’ve filmed West Side Story all over New York, from Flatbush to Fort Tryon Park.," he wrote. "The city lent us its beauty and its energy, and we drew deeply upon its grand, multicultural, multifaceted spirit."

Spielberg also said, " In addition, we spent three extraordinary weeks filming in Paterson, New Jersey. To the people of New York and Paterson, thanks not only for putting up with our trailers, tents, cranes, and mid-street dance sequences; from the bottom of my heart, thanks for the warm welcomes we encountered everywhere, from pedestrians and policemen and neighborhoods and kids. We couldn’t have made our musical without you."

In August, when filming was in full swing, Spielberg was awarded the key to the city of Paterson from Mayor Andre Sayegh. The mayor has said several times that the production has enhanced the city's image and improved its downtown economy.

Earlier that month, Garden State native Bruce Springsteen swung by the set.

The production has contributed to several community groups, like the Friends of the Paterson Parks, local businesses and Passaic Community College for use of space during filming, according to ABC 7.

The film has a Dec. 18, 2020 release date.