A remake of 1987 La Bamba is in progress.
Directed and written by Luis Valdez, La Bamba is a 1987 film that follows the life of musician Ritchie Valens. Lou Diamond Phillips played Valens in the film, while Esai Morales as Roberto “Bob” Morales, Rosanna DeSoto as Connie Valenzuela, Elizabeth Peña as Rosie Morales, Danielle von Zerneck as Donna Ludwig, Joe Pantoliano as Bob Keane, Rick Dees as Ted Quillin, and Stephen Lee as The Big Bopper also starred.
According to Variety, Mucho Mas Media and Sony Pictures are currently developing a remake of La Bamba.
Valdez will serve as executive producer of the new version of La Bamba, while José Rivera is in charge of the screenplay. Rivera previously worked on the screenplays for The Journey of the Young Che (2004), Letters to Juliet (2010), On the Road (2012), The 33 (2015) and others.
“Along with the rock and roll classics of Ritchie Valens, my 1987 biopic La Bamba has easily withstood the test of time,” said Valdez. “And yet, the tragically short life and career of Richard Valenzuela continues to inspire new generations of fans around the world.” 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 immortal legend.
Javier Chapa is producing the film for Mucho Mas Media. Sherrese Clarke Soares, Phillip Braun, Robert Muñoz, Simon Wise, Vincent Cordero and Bruce Barshop serve as executive producers.
“We are honored and humbled to be able to retell Ritche’s story – the story of an incredible young Latino who inspired so many with his music and extraordinary talent,” said Chapa. “We want to uphold and celebrate the original film in the same way that Luis Valdez and the filmmakers of La Bamba made it a classic.”
The 1987 version of “La Bamba” is currently available to rent or purchase on digital services such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and others.
