West Side Story - Mike Faist on auditioning for Spielberg & running around New York with the Jets

Mike Faist is interviewed by Scott Davis for Steven Spielberg's adaptation of West Side Story. This reimagining of the beloved musical stars Ansel Elgort (Tony); Ariana DeBose (Anita); David Alvarez (Bernardo); Mike Faist (Riff); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino); with Rita Moreno (as Valentina, who owns the corner store in which Tony works); and introducing Rachel Zegler (María).
Plot: Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner Tony Kushner, “West Side Story” tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City.
#WestSideStory #MikeFaist #StevenSpielberg
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[@MeganMichelleGee]

Mike Faist as Riff is one of the best performances in cinema. I was blown away by his portrayal. A complete scene stealer. He deserves a lot of recognition for what he did in West Side Story.

[@kyliekisses856]

Every cell of Mike Faist enbodied Riff in WSS. I've seen the film 2x's at the theatre, and "Riff" has stuck with me because of Mike. A great movie. A break-out performance. i want to see more of Mike in the years to come.

[@whippetphan]

Lol at Mike thinking that it's just the charisma of Mercutio that has everyone entranced; like dude it's actually YOU and what you brought to this role that has us gripped! One of my favorite performances I've ever seen.

[@theahaberman8189]

He is actually one of the only "Mercutios" that I feel like actually "gets" the character... Mercutio has always struck me as a deeply angry character, and the way you could feel that hair-trigger energy and self-destructiveness in Mike's performance was brilliant.

[@brattymaggie]

i saw him and went “oh no no no no you can’t like him he’s racist but not irl he’s a gang leader but for boys who need family oh crap i’m falling IM FALLING IM CAUGHT he caught me i’m in love. must watch everything he’s in”

[@riverebec1]

A star just waiting to happen.

[@hamiltonslegacy]

I’m so obsessed with Mike Faist! He was incredible in this movie ahhh!! 🥰🥰

[@poppyseed3250]

Sameee

[@hamiltonslegacy]

@@poppyseed3250 1/4 of my camera is of Mike Faist 🥰😂

[@ladyofshalott9589]

Same here!

[@kevlow9494]

Mike deserves an Oscar nom, fucking incredible as Riff. Added so much depth AND nuance.

[@cheese6291]

he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves!

[@paulagabriela8399]

Idk why exactly but this guy just caught my eyes from his first appearance on the movie. Like I didn't even pay much attention to Riff on the original film, I was too into Tony and Maria relationship. But for this film, it was completely the opposite! Mike's smile, voice and even dancing skills (I'm surprised he didn't want to dance at all) were just incredible. I'm thinking about rewatching the film just for him

[@barbbear35]

He stoled the show. Let's be honest...

[@gregturley35]

The way he played riff was amazing!

[@janiceweaver6945]

Jetivities - what a great idea; such a fabulous leader.

[@tiamoyerole]

The 2 shinning bright stars of this film are Mike FAIST and Arianna de Bose. One cannot keep the eyes away from them.

[@kerrielise4755]

imagine mike faist in grease!!!!!!! like Kenickie!!!!!!!

[@janebarry-fraundorf4623]

Sounds great!; and Ansel Elgort, (Tony), as Danny Zuecko)?! How perfect would THAT be?! LOL!

[@TheMissingLink1]

I am in love with this man.

[@aces0730]

Mike Faist’s Riff was edgier and dark, whereas Russ Tamblyn’s Riff was goofy. Keeping Riff out of the “Officer Krupke” song brings about a more angry character who has multiple levels and is on the mission to really ready to bring on the fight and to win it. In my opinion I believe Riff has a death wish, he knows that there’s really no way of out of this life it’s either prison or death.

[@Shayesbel87]

I mean they did Officer Krupke the Broadway version and it was super good, hearing the tragic lives of the other Jet members too. Well done Steven

[@robsten80]

So glad to see a new interview ....hope to watch him soon in a new project

[@MsVictoriaWolfe]

Legit only watched riff the whole time

[@MrAcopian]

He was the right choice and he is so talented. I can't wait to see what else he does.

[@Charles-nj2ef]

Great interview. Mike looked the most relaxed in this interview.

[@lillynoderer4133]

he was a perfect riff, but i NEED mike singing maria.

[@janebarry-fraundorf4623]

Agreed, but Mike's Voice, or look would NOT be right for that song, or playing TONY! Ansel Elgort was STELLAR as Tony, Mike Faist was STELLAR as RIFF!

[@genaroonie778]

cmon oscar nom!

[@jaygarcia8508]

So incredibly cute....😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@kikilala1087]

God he is so hot.

[@rosepratiwi6532]

Just knew Mike from this movie and I think he is absolute gem. He is brilliant as Riff.

[@riverebec1]

It's a major rarity for a remake to be an almost 100% improvement on the original. For me, Spielberg's WSS will be the most authentic in-depth version of this story.

[@mercedessanchez7535]

Loved his perfomance!! ❤️

[@ldbrow00]

Love this interview. He had such an inspiring performance!

[@caranardone5579]

I have like, the BIGGEST crush on him 😍😍 Kind of reminds me of Sean Hayes from Will & Grace but infinitely cuter and a better dancer lol

[@dollyhoneypie]

he’s a beautiful beautiful man

[@miriamsoto8242]

I absolutely dispise Riff in the original film...I liked Bernardo probably because his relationship with Anita. Never care much about Maria and Tony ( sorry) but at the second Mike appeared on screen I was caught by Riff, he brings so much depth to the charcater, yes he's a racist but this is the 50s in those kids came from broken families and they don't have any hope in the future...that aspect wasn't very present in the original film but here is super important to understand Riff's anger. And Mike acomplished that with a relatively short time on screen. The best performance in the film in my opinion. Second best Ariana as Anita.

[@jaymichaeljoy2685]

Mike was such a scene stealer in this movie. I wasn't familiar with him at all before watching the movie, and I was shocked at how much he brought to the movie. When Riff died I was like, "aw man...do I want to keep watching??"

[@pau9957]

idk why he was so hesitant to do the dancing audition, he has always said hes a better dancer than a singer, and he was an original newsie who even had a tapping solo

[@daisytheunicornTV]

Good job Mike.

[@jadakamau7341]

off vibes from the interviwer smh

[@presbyteriangirl9739]

He did an awesome job as Riff. All the Jets were excellent.

[@phylipitaglioni1970]

Mr. Spielberg just loves white wire hangers!

[@twittertwice]

sick people are everywhere

[@phylipitaglioni1970]

Has anyone noticed people bodies seem stronger nowadays. Remember I never had choice to sacrifice.

[@phylipitaglioni1970]

"Can you make a movie about Dinosaurs" (in a 4 year olds voice)

[@phylipitaglioni1970]

Magic words spread fast I get.

[@phylipitaglioni1970]

You know how people get the wrong door sometimes

[@phylipitaglioni1970]

I use to look like a pretty white boy once upon a time.

[@phylipitaglioni1970]

You look like a kid that lived in the same apartment complexes that I lived in when I was little.

[@phylipitaglioni1970]

What ever happened to him?

[@phylipitaglioni1970]

His name was Eric too

[@phylipitaglioni1970]

I remember my choir teachers raping me in those apartments.