‘La Bamba’ Remake: Luis Valdez Doesn’t Understand the Reason

Almost 40 years after its release, “La Bamba,” the cherished biopic of singer Ritchie Valens, is set for a remake. Luis Valdez, the original director and writer, made it clear: “This was not my choice.”

On Monday, Variety reported that Sony Pictures and Mucho Mas Media are developing a new version of the biographical film about the first U.S. Latino rock star. Oscar-nominated writer José Rivera, known for “The Motorcycle Diaries” and “On the Road,” will write the script. Valdez will serve as an executive producer.

This summer, Javier Chapa of Mucho Mas Media approached Valdez, seeking his support for the project.

“My first question was, ‘Why?’ I think that’s a legitimate question that fans all over the world are going to be asking,” Valdez, 84, told The Times late Monday. “The original film was a success and has a lot of fans who will obviously react differently.”

Valdez, who also wrote “Zoot Suit,” faced a choice: participate in the remake or ignore it altogether.

”I’ve always believed negatives can be turned into positives. So, I chose to help,” Valdez explained. He agreed to join the project to provide context to the story of Ritchie Valens, the singer born in the San Fernando Valley who died in 1959.

“The reality is that the movie and the script belong to Sony. My contract said nothing about remakes,” Valdez stated. “Your vision may be as personal as it gets, but the final product belongs to the studio.”

Valdez reminisced that “La Bamba,” released in 1987, was a labor of love. At the time, little documentation existed about Valens’ life and career.

Born Richard Valenzuela in Pacoima, Calif., Valens rose to fame in the late 1950s with his hit, “Come On, Let’s Go.” The self-taught musician left high school to pursue music. He became known for his rock ’n’ roll version of the Mexican folk song “La Bamba.” Tragically, he died in a plane crash at 17, along with singers Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, on a day dubbed “the day the music died.”

Out of personal interest, Valdez and his brother, Daniel Valdez, spent five years tracking down people in Valens’ life, like his mother, Connie Valenzuela; brother, Bob Morales; manager, Bob Keane; and first love, Donna Ludwig Fox. These firsthand accounts formed the basis for the “La Bamba” screenplay.

“I don’t know that José Rivera will take the same storyline. Flat remakes don’t work,” Valdez commented. “I’m hoping this remake will offer something new, something fresh, another look at Ritchie Valens’ life.”

Given Valens’ brief career, Valdez believes few aspects of his life were left untouched.

”La Bamba” has grossed over $54 million at the box office, costing $6.5 million to make, according to The American Film Institute. The film was nominated for best drama at the Golden Globes and for song of the year at the 1988 Grammy Awards. It played a crucial role in the careers of actor Lou Diamond Phillips, who portrayed Valens, and East L.A. rock band Los Lobos, who provided the soundtrack. In 2017, it was added to the National Film Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress, by initiative of Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas).

Valdez sees the new film as an opportunity to create a new Latino star but questions why the production companies chose “La Bamba.”

“There are hundreds of Chicano stories in Los Angeles that could be turned into movies,” Valdez said. “But Sony chose to remake this, possibly because of its track record. I know Hollywood is a business. I want people to know this wasn’t my choice; I was invited into the process.”

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Mucho Mas Media have declined to comment, saying the project is too early in development. Valdez’s hope is for the remake to stay true to Valens’ life.

“I want to assure fans the remake won’t harm the original. What I’m hoping is that the remake will enhance Ritchie Valens’ story,” Valdez said. “Maybe it will reveal something about Ritchie we didn’t know. For those upset or disappointed by the remake, I say, ‘Let’s move on.’ The original film won’t disappear.”

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.