Disney Announces Snow White Role for Upcoming Live-Action Movie

Published: June 23, 2021

Disney Announces Snow White Role for Upcoming Live-Action Movie

By Movieguide® Staff

Disney announced that actress Rachel Zegler would tackle the lead role of Snow White in their upcoming live-action adaptation of the iconic 1937 animated movie, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES, Deadline reported.

Zegler, who is also slated to star as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming reimagining of WEST SIDE STORY, will portray Disney’s first princess in the remake set to come out in 2022.

“Rachel’s extraordinary vocal abilities are just the beginning of her gifts. Her strength, intelligence and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale,” the movie’s director, Marc Webb, said.

Movieguide® hopes that the live-action retelling will include as much, if not more, of the original’s moral and family-friendly content.

Movieguide®’s review reads:

A beautiful young woman oppressed by a wicked Queen dreams that one day her prince will take her away to a life of happiness in Walt Disney’s animated masterpiece, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS. Although many are concerned about the film’s portrayal of witchcraft which God condemns, it must be noted that the witchcraft is shown to be evil which can only be overcome by true love. This storyline can be a discussion starter to explore the concept of God’s love overcoming evil when the Prince of Peace rescues His Bride from the clutches of the adversary.

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, known for LA LA LAND and THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, are also on the project to write new songs for the movie.

Deadline reported that Zegler’s performance in the yet-to-be-released WEST SIDE STORY landed her the leading role.

“As for the casting process, Webb and studio execs had been meeting with talent for several months for the role of Snow White. Zegler’s auditions impressed everyone, insiders say, but another factor was footage from West Side Story that blew away the Disney studio brass who’ve seen it, and helped push the decision across the finish line,” Deadline wrote.

Zegler’s future projects also include her first comic-book movie, D.C.’s SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS, starring Zachary Levi.