The 1987 biopic La Bamba about the life and career of rock and roll legend Ritchie Valens is a critically acclaimed movie that still holds up today. Now, Ritchie Valens is getting another showcase on the big screen with a La Bamba remake in the works at Sony. As per a report by Variety, Mucho Mas Media and Sony are teaming up to remake the Golden Globe-nominated film based on rock star Valens’ life and career.
Luis Valdez, the writer and director of the original film, is on board as an executive producer, with José Rivera, who is best known for 2004’s The Motorcycle Diaries, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award, is attached to write the new screenplay. Valdez spoke about his film standing the test of time, Valens’ inspiration for a new generation, and how the new biopic can provide even more insight into Valens’ short, but successful life and career.
“The tragically short life and career of Richard Valenzuela continues to inspire new generations of fans the world over. As new biographical details have come to light, a new cinematic look at his eternally young seventeen years on earth can only add to his undying legend.”
In addition to Valdez producing, Sherrese Clarke Soares, Phillip Braun, Robert Muñoz, Simon Wise, Vincent Cordero and Bruce Barshop will also executive produce. Javier Chapa will produce for Mucho Mas Media, with Sony Music Mexico attached as a creative partner for the music in the film. Chapa said of the upcoming remake that “they look to uphold and celebrate the original film in ways Luis Valdez and the filmmakers of ‘La Bamba’ made it a classic.” He added they are excited about this retelling of Valens’ story.
“We’re honored and humbled to be retelling Ritchie’s story — the story of an incredible young Latino man who inspired so many people through his music and prodigious talent.”
La Bamba Boasts a Stellar Performance From Lou Diamond Phillips
Lou Diamond Phillips starred as Richie Valens in the original La Bamba movie, which was released in 1987 by Columbia Pictures. The story follows 17-year-old Valens’ journey from a field laborer to a rock star with a string of hit singles and commercial success. The film was well-reviewed by both critics and audiences, and received a nomination for “Best Motion Picture, Drama” at the Golden Globes. Phillips’ portrayal of Valens in particular was widely praised, becoming his breakout role. La Bamba was added to the National Film Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress in 2017, which recognizes films for their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance.
For those unaware, Valens was a Mexican-American rock and roll icon, with hits like “La Bamba”, “Donna”, and “We Belong Together”. His career was cut tragically short in 1959 when he passed away alongside fellow rock and roll pioneers Buddy Holly and “The Big Bopper” J.P. Richardson in a plane crash. The tragedy has since been labeled “The Day the Music Died.”
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The announcement of a remake comes amid a resurgence of musician biopics. Recently released projects such as Elvis, Back to Black, which follows Amy Winehouse’s career, and One Love, the story of Bob Marley’s life and career, have found major success. Upcoming biopics including Timothée Chalamet’s A Complete Unknown, in which he will star as Bob Dylan; and Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maria Callas’ in her biopic Maria, both set to release this year. Lionsgate is also set to release Michael, an upcoming biopic about Michael Jackson, starring his nephew Jafaar Jackson, with a release date of 2025.
