Aspects of “West Side Story” might not have aged well in the almost 60 years since its debut, but there’s no denying the beloved film’s position in the classic movie canon. It’s why, when talks of a “West Side Story” remake by Steven Spielberg began to occur last summer, fans of the original film helmed by directors Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and starring actresses Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno, fans of the original film proved to be less than thrilled. Reasons for the knee-jerk objections to the remake ran the gamut with many of them stemming from fears that a white director like Spielberg being incapable of properly addressing the problems of the original film which included brownface and a mass of shameful Latino stereotypes. This week, after production for the film, announced the actors for the main cast of the film, fans of the 1961 film are resting a bit easier.

On Monday, production for the remake announced that after auditioning over 30K actors from across the globe, they have officially filled out their main cast and fans are not feeling let down.

United Artists

The original adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, the Romeo-and-Juliet-like story tells of the star-crossed love between Tony, a former member of the white gang known as the Jets, and Maria, the younger sister of the leader of a Puerto Rican gang. Oscar-nominated screenwriter and Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner has written the adaptation of the musical originally penned by Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim with music by Leonard Bernstein.

Spielberg and his team have shown to a commitment to filling out a strong and authentic cast worthy of the adaptation by searching for their actors within the Puerto Rican and extended Latinx community. Doing their due diligence for the film, Speilberg, and writers from the film reportedly met with professors and students from Universidad de Puerto Rico – Río Piedras to garner a better understanding of performing arts on the island. They have also kept an open door of communication with Hispanic heritage and advocacy groups who have helped the filmmakers behind the remake with conducting research in regards to the Latino characters of the film and their storylines.

Speaking to Deadline about his approach to casting and researching the film, Spielberg said that “When we began this process a year ago, we announced that we would cast the roles of Maria, Anita, Bernardo, Chino and the Sharks with Latina and Latino actors. I’m so happy that we’ve assembled a cast that reflects the astonishing depth of talent in America’s multifaceted Hispanic community… I am in awe of the sheer force of the talent of these young performers, and I believe they’ll bring a new and electrifying energy to a magnificent musical that’s more relevant than ever.”

Newcomer Rachel Zegler is set to play star-crossed lover Maria.

rachelzegler / Instagram

Rachel Zegler is a high school student who responded to the production’s opening casting call for actors with a video of herself singing “Tonight” and “Me Siento Hermosa.” The 17-year-old has built a dedicated following on Youtube and Twitter in recent years, showing off her musical chops to her fans on the platforms.

Zegler recently caught the attention of the internet when she shared a viral video of her showing off her pipes.

someone: you use autotune????????????????
me: pic.twitter.com/9sPBkDj2kf

— rachel zegler (@rachelzegler) December 14, 2018

Zegler sang a rendition of “Shallow” from the Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper film “A Star Is Born.”

It’s not the first time Zegler will play Maria forever.

No doubt, Zegler’s upcoming role will garner her far more attention than this internet hit.

Broadway veteran Ariana DeBose will fill the shoes of Rita Moreno in the iconic role of Anita.

arianadebose / Instagram

The casting of 27-year-old Ariana DeBose is sure to increase excitement over the remake. Not only is the American actress, singer, and dancer of Puerto Rican-descent starred in the off-Broadway ensemble of Hamilton back in 2015 and in 2018 she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as  Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. 

Also joining the film’s ensemble are David Alvarez as Bernardo and Josh Andrés Rivera has Chino.

Read: Remembering Miranda Sanchez On The 18th Anniversary Of ‘Lizzie McGuire’

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More and more often, we’re seeing Latinas represent our stories on television, in movies, and in books. However, it’s not just Latina faces that make a big impression on these platforms. Animated cartoons, video games, and movies also benefit from the talents of Latina actresses. In fact, these Latinas have been voicing our favorite cartoon characters for generations.

The latest example of Latina talent coming to us in animated form is the new Netflix reboot of “Carmen Sandiego”. Premiering January 18th, the show is a fresh spin on the 90’s fan favorite. Voicing the mysterious master thief is ‘Jane the Virgin’ star Gina Rodriguez.

Twitter / @carmensandiego

The series will explore how Sandiego got her start in the world of International mystery. The reboot also stars “Stranger Things” lead Finn Wolfhard to provide the voice of Player, Sandiego’s sidekick, and friend.

Anticipating the success of this reboot, Netflix has already authorized a live-action “Carmen Sandiego.” Rodriguez will also play Sandiego in the live-action series and we can’t wait to see how she looks in that iconic red fedora.

Netflix’s “Carmen Sandiego” will no doubt be a nostalgic treat for those of us who grew up with the OG Sandiego. What better reason to take a look at all the other Latinas that voiced our favorite animated characters.

1. Rita Moreno

Mark Hill / PBS

Moreno has starred in some of the most beloved films of all time but she’s also a talented voice actress. In fact, Moreno was the first to voice Carmen Sandiego when she starred in the original incarnation of the series. She is also the voice of Abuelita in “Nina’s World” and has voiced a number of characters from “Rio 2,” “Special Agent Oso” and “Sofia the First.”

2. Gina Rodriguez

Shutterstock / Twitter

Besides lending her voice to the new “Carmen Sandiego,” Rodriguez also voices a character for another Netflix animation. Rodriguez joined the second season of “Big Mouth” to voice Gina, the first girl in the main character’s fictional school to go through puberty. The actress has also given voice to more family-friendly characters in “Ferdinand” and “Smallfoot.”

3. Shakira

Shutterstock / Disney

Anyone with a voice as unique and beautiful as Shakira is obviously going to be a natural voice actress. In 2016, the Colombian songstress brought “Zootopia” popstar Gazelle to life for Disney audiences. She also contributed the catchy bop “Try Anything” to the movie’s soundtrack.

4. Alanna Ubach

Getty Images / Walt Disney Studios

You probably heard Ubach’s voice in the hit Disney animated film “Coco” as the strong-willed matriarch Mama Imelda. Besides providing her talking voice, the Californian star also belted out the beautiful song “La Llorona” in the film. In addition to bringing Mama Imelda to life, she also played the titular character in “El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera.”

5. Zoë Saldana

Getty Images / 20th Century Fox Animation

She may be best known as Gamora from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise, but Saldana has also gone digital. In “The Book of Life,” she voiced the movie’s smart, independent heroine, Maria. The Latina has also lent her voice to “My Little Pony: The Movie” and will appear in 2019’s “Missing Link.”

6. Selena Gomez

Between her singing career and producing projects like “13 Reasons Why,” Gomez has found time to voice her recurring character for the “Hotel Transylvania” series. Mavis, the adorable vampire daughter of Dracula, has been voiced by Gomez for all three movies in the franchise.

7. Genesis Rodriguez

David Buchan / Getty Images North America

Rodriguez isn’t just an actress, she also provided the voice for Disney/Pixar’s first Latina superhero. Voiced by Rodriguez, Honey Lemon is the bubbly super scientist superhero from “Big Hero 6.” She must have a knack for playing powerful women because Rodriguez also voices Princess Perfuma in “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.”

8. Aimee Carrero

Netflix / Getty Images

Speaking of She-Ra, Carrero plays the ultimate princess of power, Adora (She-Ra), in the new reboot of the franchise. She isn’t the only princess the Latina has voiced. Carrero also voices Disney’s first Latina princess, Elena, in the animated series “Elena of Avalor.”

9. Jenna Ortega

Disney Animation Studios / Getty Images

Elena isn’t the only princess Avalor has to offer. Elena’s little sister, Princess Isabel, is voiced by 16-year-old Ortega. The young actress also provided voices for the award-winning animated miniseries “Over the Garden Wall.”

10. Sara Ramirez

ABC / Disney Animation Studios

You may know her best for her time on “Grey’s Anatomy,” but Ramirez also plays a more royal role in Disney’s animated series “Sofia the First.” As Queen Miranda, Ramirez doles out advice to her royal children (along with the occasional song).

11. Raini Rodriguez

Getty Images / Disney Animation Studios

A Disney Channel regular, this Mexicana has most recently provided the voice for Creepy Caroline, the adorable gorgon from “Vampirina.” She’s also voiced characters for other Disney Junior series like “The Lion Gaurd” and “Handy Manny.”

12. Lexi Medrano

Netflix / Getty Images

Last year’s Netflix animated series “Trollhunters,” introduced us to the smart and brave Claire Nuñez. Created by Guillermo Del Toro, the show is the first in the “Tales of Arcadia.” Claire, voiced by Medrano, also appears in the next two installments of the series: “3 Below” and “Wizard.”

13. Carolina Ravassa

Blizzard Entertainment / Getty Images

Actress and producer Ravassa has acted in big-name series like “Mr. Robot,” but she’s no stranger to voiceover work. In fact, Ravassa is the voice of Sombra in the extremely popular Overwatch game series. The Columbiana also voiced Taliana Martinez in Grand Theft Auto V and has provided voices for Just Cause 4.

14. Salma Hayek

Getty Images / DreamWorks Animation

Hayek has been acting since the late 80’s so it’s no surprise that she’s brought a few animated characters to life. In 2011, she voiced the fiercely-cute Kitty Softpaws in DreamWorks’ “Puss in Boots.” The Mexicana has also lent her voice to the role of Cutlass Liz in the animated film “The Pirates! Band of Misfits.”

15. Jessica Alba

RainMaker Entertainment / Getty Images

In 2013, Alba’s voice debuted in her first animated feature. In “Escape from Planet Earth,” the Latina plays Lena Thackleman, an alien bureaucrat and surprise baddie. This may be her first, but with three kids of her own, we’re sure Alba will take on more animated roles in the future.

16. Sofía Vergara

Pacifica Coast News

Vergara may be the highest paid actress on television, but she’s also starred in a few animated films. She has most notably brought her sultry energy to Carmen from the Warner Brothers hit “Happy Feet 2.” The Colombiana has also given her voice to “The Emoji Movie,” “The Simpsons” and “Escape from Planet Earth.”

17. Eva Longoria

Shutterstock / Sony Pictures Animation

As an actress, producer, and director, Longoria has an impressive resume under her belt which includes quite a few animated voice-over roles. Besides providing her voice to the British animated movie “Arthur Christmas,” Longoria has also voiced characters for “BoJack Horseman” and “The Simpsons.”

18. Jennifer Lopez

Lopez is a global superstar who has had her hand in everything from music to television. So, using her famous voice to bring a few animated characters to life is just another day for JLo. She first voiced Azteca in the late 90’s animated movie “Antz.” More recently she joined the “Ice Age” franchise as Shira and voiced the mom in Rhianna’s animated movie “Home.”

19. Rosario Dawson

Dawson is obviously a big DC comics fan because the Latina actress has offered her voice to many characters in their animated world. Most recently, she brought Barbara Gordon (BatGirl) to life for “The Lego Batman Movie.” Additionally, she’s voiced several characters in the “Justice League” franchise.

20. Morena Baccarin

Getty Images / Warner Bros. Animation

Baccarin is another hard-core DC comics fan. Best known for her role in the live-action “Gotham,” she’s also lent her voice to multiple animated Batman movies. Namely, she’s played Black Canary in “Justice League Unlimited” and Cheetah in “Batman: The Brave and the Bold.”

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