Sony Plans Remake of ‘La Bamba’, Based on Rocker Ritchie Valens

The original film starred Lou Diamond Phillips as rocker Valens, and a new version is planned with ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ writer José Rivera on script duty.

Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens in 'La Bamba'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

Preview:

Sony wants to remake ‘La Bamba’.
The original movie was released in 1987.
‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ writer José Rivera will work on the new script.

Though it might better be remembered for its soundtrack and iconic title track, 1987’s biopic of Mexican-American rocker Ritchie Valens, ‘La Bamba’, was successful enough to score a Golden Globe nomination, a Best Song of the Year Grammy nomination and entry into the National Film Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress for movies with cultural or aesthetic significance in 2017.

Now Sony, along with production company Mucho Mas Media, is looking to craft a remake, and is putting the pieces together, starting with a writer.

La Bamba

"Born into poverty. Destined for stardom. He lived the American dream."

PG-131 hr 48 minJul 24th, 1987

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch La Bamba Online

What was the story of ‘La Bamba’?

Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens in 'La Bamba'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

Lou Diamond Phillips played Valens in the original Columbia Pictures movie, which follows the 17-year-old Mexican-American’s rise to fame, from field laborer to rock star with a string of hit singles and a date with destiny.

Fueled by Valens’ hit songs performed by the Grammy-winning group Los Lobos as well as classic ’50s tunes, ‘La Bamba’ recreates the early days of rock and pays homage to the enduring legacy of a remarkable talent whose music crossed all borders.

Valens is considered an icon of rock and roll, known worldwide for his hit songs “Donna,” “We Belong Together” and the eponymous “La Bamba.” His meteoric ascent was cut short when he died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, in what was dubbed “The Day the Music Died.”

Who is working on the new movie?

Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens in 'La Bamba'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

While no cast or a director is attached at this point, it does already have Luis Valdez, the writer and director of the original film, on board as an executive producer. And crafting the script for the new movie is José Rivera, whose credits include ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ and ‘On the Road’.

Here’s what Valdez had to say about the new project:

“Together with the rock and roll classics of Ritchie Valens, my 1987 biopic ‘La Bamba’ has graciously withstood the test of time. And yet, 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.”

And here’s the statement from Mucho Mas Media’s Javier Chapa, who is a producer:

“We’re honored and humbled to be retelling Ritche’s story — the story of an incredible young Latino man who inspired so many people through his music and prodigious talent. We look to uphold and celebrate the original film in ways Luis Valdez and the filmmakers of ‘La Bamba’ made it a classic.”