Disney’s quest to turn all of its animated classics into live-action features continues as Rachel Zegler is cast in the role of Snow White. Deadline reports that Zegler, who will also star in Steven Spielberg’s refresh of West Side Story later this year, will play the iconic Disney princess as it moves from animation to real life.
Director Marc Webb is very excited about the new project and is thrilled to have Zegler in the lead role. “Rachel’s extraordinary vocal abilities are just the beginning of her gifts,” he said. “Her strength, intelligence and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale.”
Snow White has always been an important part of the Disney story. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the studio’s first animated feature, released in 1938, and it gave the world notice that Walt Disney and his team were going to change the industry.
Snow White will need a slight makeover for modern audiences
La La Land and The Greatest Showman’s Benj Pasek and Justin Paul will craft new songs for the movie in addition to working with the existing music to expand and refresh the story. And there are other ways the movie will need to update things for modern audiences.
For instance, there was some backlash after Disney reimagined the Snow White’s Scary Adventures ride in Disneyland as Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, with some upset over a scene where Prince Charming kisses Snow White after she eats the poisoned apple and falls into a deep sleep, bringing her back to life. Some think it’s problematic that the prince kisses Snow White without her consent. Disney will need to find a way to tell the story in a new way, possibly without one of the moments that makes the story so iconic.
Zegler will no doubt make a wonderful Snow White. You can see her in the lead role of Maria in West Side Story this December. She also has a role in Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
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