Sony Pictures is putting a remake of 'La Bamba' in motion

The life of the legendary musician, Ritchie Valenswill return to the big screen.

Sony Pictures gave the green light to the development of a remake of the 1987 film, The Bambabased on the life of the man considered one of the pioneers of rock and roll, according to Variety reports.

This new version will feature familiar faces, as the media confirmed that Luis Valdezdirector and screenwriter of the original film, is on board the remake as one of the executive producers. Jose Rivera (Motorcycle Diaries) will write the script.

The Bamba portrayed the rise to fame of the 17-year-old Mexican-American, recreating key moments in Valens' life, from his work in the agricultural sector, to becoming a rock and roll star, and the first to do so in Spanish, thus crossing all borders. Valens' songs in the film were performed by the group Los Lobos. Lou Diamond Phillips portrayed Valens in the film.

Valens achieved monumental success with songs like We Belong Together, Let’s Go, Donnaand of course, The Bamba. His success was cut short. Ritchie lost his life on February 3, 1959, in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. Also on board were musicians Buddy Holly and The Big Popper; the crash also claimed the life of pilot Roger Peterson. This tragic accident was nicknamed “The Day the Music Died.” Valens was 17 years old.

He posthumously received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990, and in 2001 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The original 1987 film was nominated for a Golden Globe in the Best Drama category. At the 1988 Grammys, “La Bamba” was nominated for Best Song of the Year. In 2017, the prestigious National Film Registry, owned by the National Film Preservation Board (based at the Library of Congress), selected it as one of 25 films selected annually for their “cultural, historical, or aesthetic” contributions to be preserved in the library.

Valdez said in a press release about Valens' legacy and the new installment:

“Along with Ritchie Valens’ rock and roll classics, my 1987 biopic ‘La Bamba’ has gracefully stood the test of time. And yet, Richard Valenzuela’s tragically short life and career continues to inspire new generations of fans around the world. As new biographical details come to light, a fresh cinematic look at his eternally young seventeen years on earth can only add to his enduring legend.”

Producers on the remake include Javier Chapa of Mucho Más Media, with executive producers Sherrese Clarke Soares, Phillip Braun, Robert Muñoz, Simon Wise, Vincent Cordero and Bruce Barshop. Sony Music Mexico will be one of the creative partners for the soundtrack.