Actually Richard Beymer was far more famous than Warren Beatty was when WSS was filmed and had far more experience and acclaim as a film actor then. Beat1908ty's claim to fame by then was on the "Doby Gillis Show".
But you're correct, it was sad that Natalie Wood gave him such a hard time. I'm sure it did not help the him. He must have felt awkward as she was the star of the film and a star at the time.
Also Richard Beymer had already suffered at the hands of Natalie Wood before then. He was asked to audition for Sal Mineo's role in "Rebel Without a Cause". Beymer was not thrilled about it as he felt miscast in that role and it was awkward as he was much taller than Dean was. Apparently Dean, Natalie and the others in the audition went out of their way to mistreat Richard which was quite hurtful. No doubt that lingered with him and didn't help him when they were paired up together. He had alot of character to have forgiven her as he has done.
Personally I think that the fault was with directors Wise and Robbins for not doing something about it the problems between Wood and Beymer. If the cast knew, which they did, then certainly the directors did as well.
I do think too that Richard was not happy at all with how he was directed. The truth is on film you are at the mercy of what the director wants you to do and he or she gets the final choice of what is in or out of the film. I think he knew that Wise was directing him too one dimensionally. Despite that Imho I think Beymer did a fine job with the role considering what he was up against.

Well, Rita, Natalie and Richard are all good in that film, as well as in many others.
Now, Richard Beymer displays his great acting versatility for decades to follow, as he very capably handles many fine acting challenges in film and on television.
So, it's understandable if Richard doesn't care for a role or two which he has performed along the way, but suffice it to say that he more than compensates for his any disappointment far and above during the course of his fine acting career.
"Age is just a number, and mine is unlisted." Durward Kirby

I like how all you morons belive every thing you hear. Natalie Wood was a sweetheart to all who knew her. In 1961 she was having a hard time with the role herself and was insecure about her part. I've never heard of her giving anyone but herself a hard time. Even Rita Moreno said at the time she thought Natalie was a buit aloof but looking back it realized it was more insecurity on her part of playing a Puerto Rican.
Natalie was a very nice down to earth woman.

Thanks for your answers, I do felt that Natalie is little bit difficult to work with even if she was alive today!
"Dreams do come true"-Princess Giselle

To be honest, Natalie Wood should have realized from the get-go that she is not going to work with the same actor every single movie she was in. I liked that someone like Richard Beymer, who was probably less famous then Warren Beatty, had a chance to play the lead role in a hit musical movie.
It wasn't Beymer's fault Beatty didn't get the role, and if Natalie really had such a problem with it she should have taken it up with the directors instead of giving Beymer a hard time when he did nothing to deserve it. It's good that she realized that when they ran into each other after WSS, but still. She was a child actress, for Pete's sake. Learn to give someone else a chance.

I saw the same TCM promo that Wakanohana did. Apparently she wouldn't speak to him on set, unless they were playing a scene together. She gave him the total silent treatment, which understandably caused some tension for him. She told Russ Tamblyn that she just didn't like Richard Beymer, and that she wanted Warren Beatty to have the role of Tony.
Beymer went on to say that he ran into her some years later, and that she was very sweet to him. I guess she got over it by then
Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

On TCM, a few minutes ago, there was a promotional interview for the upcoming screening of West Side Story. And it was explained that Natalie Wood wanted someone else, preferably Warren Beaty, to play the role of Tony.
I don't know if that would have been a good idea or not.

How exactly was she giving him a rough time? And I heard that some people thought that he was miscast as Tony. Is this true?
"Dreams do come true"-Princess Giselle

I don't think he necessarily hated his role. He just didn't like how he played it. Robert Wise had him play Tony in a way he didn't agree with, and Natalie Wood kept giving him a a hard time during the making of the movie.