Steven Spielberg thought ‘Jaws’ theme was a joke when John Williams pitched it

All it takes is one bad take on social media to ignite a bit of a firestorm. And apparently, the most recent one involves Steven Spielberg and “West Side Story.” The discussion got so involved, Guillermo del Toro felt the need to come to the defense of one of the best filmmakers to ever grace the medium.

Steven Spielberg managed (rather unsurprisingly) to breathe new life into a beloved classic with his extravagant retelling of the cult-favorite musical, whichdepicts a beautifully tragic tale of rivalry and forbidden love on the streets of Manhattan's Upper West Side. (the 2021 version) proved — much like its predecessor — to be a hit among Academy members, with Spielberg's vibrant remake racking up a total of 7 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

The always prodigious Steven Spielberg just released his first musical, “West Side Story,” in December, is already done shooting his next film (“Meet The Fabelman”), and already has many future projects brewing. One of those potential films may allow the filmmaker to tackle crime in San Francisco during the swinging 1960s, placing Spielberg directly in the cop action genre.

Steven Spielberg is developing a film based on one of Steve McQueen’s most iconic film roles, Frank Bullitt, according to an individual with knowledge of the project.Josh Singer will write the screenplay. The film will not be a remake but a new story with the Bullitt character at the center.

EXCLUSIVE: Even as he juggles an awards-season campaign for West Side Story and post-production on his semi-autobiographical pic The Fablemans, Steven Spielberg looks to be getting that future dance card in order. Sources tell Deadline that he is attached to direct a new original story centered on Frank Bullitt, the iconic character played by Steve McQueen in the 1968 thriller Bullitt. Spielberg will also produce the pic along with Kristie Macosko Krieger, with Josh Singer on board to pen the script. The film is set up at Warner Bros.

Jeb Stuart is a name that has been around Hollywood for quite a while as a writer on such classics as “Die Hard,” “The Fugitive,” and “Another 48 Hrs.” After a long break from the industry, he has found a niche as a television showrunner for projects like Netflix’s “The Liberator,” and his latest, “Vikings: Valhalla,” which drops on Netflix on February 25.

Christopher Nolan‘s move from Warners Bros. to Universal made waves as the studio loyalist left his longtime home reportedly over fallout from WarnerMedia‘s push for a day-and-date release model in 2021.

When you think of the classic movie themes, you can’t help but think of John Williams. He’s a legendary film composer who has worked on a number of iconic scores and themes for films.

Star Wars composer John Williams has returned to write a theme for upcoming Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi.According to Variety, Williams has written the musical signature for the series and recorded it last week with a Los Angeles orchestra under tight security.This is the first time Williams has composed a theme for the franchise since Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker in 2019. He’s composed the score for every mainline film in the franchise, but this marks a rare occasion where he’s writing music for television.It’s unclear if Williams has contributed any additional music beyond the theme for Obi-Wan Kenobi.Obi-Wan Kenobi, a limited Original series, starts streaming May 25 on @DisneyPlus.

Jon Burlingame editorMore than two years after completing his ninth “Star Wars” movie, composer John Williams is returning to the Jedi fold with a theme for “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Variety has learned.Williams has written the musical signature for the continuing adventures of the character played by Ewan McGregor, airing on Disney Plus beginning May 25. He recorded last week with a Los Angeles orchestra under tight security, sources say.It is a coup for both Lucasfilm and Disney, considering the five-time Oscar winner rarely composes for television.

Chris Willman Music WriterThe full lineup of exclusive titles for April’s Record Store Day has been announced, with the expected title from official RSD 2022 ambassador Taylor Swift. Her first-time release of a “The Lakes” single leads the way for hundreds of releases that range from a deluxe “Blue Velvet” soundtrack reissue and two John Williams 90th-birthday releases to rarities collections from Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed and David Bowie… and from unreleased jazz concerts by Charles Mingus and Bill Evans to vinyl reissues of albums by Prince, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Childish Gambino, Stevie Nicks, the Cure, Kacey Musgraves and Pearl Jam.This year’s RSD will be on April 23 — the weekend after Easter, and Tax Day, to lighten the load on religious or business conflicts.

Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated West Side Story will makes its streaming debut on Disney+ in the U.S. and most international countries on March 2, the streamer announced today.

a bevy of Oscar nominations, Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” is now officially coming to Disney+ in March. Disney announced Wednesday morning that the critically acclaimed musical will be streaming on Disney+ on March 2 in the U.S.

Steven Spielberg is making Oscars history with his Best Director nomination for “West Side Story”.

With his 8th Oscar nomination for directing today, Steven Spielberg joins a very select group of four filmmakers who have received 8-plus Best Director nominations. They include Billy Wilder, who also has 8, his contemporary Martin Scorsese, who has 9, and the great William Wyler, who earned 11 total directing nominations.

Jon Burlingame editorJohn Williams turns 90 years old on Feb. 8.