Disney’s “Snow White” Latest Updates: Rachel Zegler Explains The Feeling Of Being A Latina Actress Cast As A Disney Princess
A live-action recreation of Disney’s Snow White will be released on the big screen. The epic fable, adapted from the 1938 animation Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is all set for a theatrical release in a modern and more contemporary rendition, as Disney continues to alter its Princess characters.
Discussions surrounding the plot of the film have erupted, prompting Disney to reveal the precautions it has taken to prevent strengthening stereotypes in the next film. Disney’s declaration that the film’s lead character will be of Latinx descent sparked outrage as well.
Snow White Release Date
Disney has yet to make an official statement regarding the new film’s release date. However, according to IMDb, Snow White may hit the theaters in January, 2023. The film is now under pre-production.
Rachel Zegler’s Statement on Being a Latina Disney Princess:
Rachel Zegler’s life must be resembling a fairy tale right now. She began 2021 as an unknown actor, but she began 2022 as a Golden Globe winner and a Disney princess. What’s even more thrilling for the West Side Story star is that her current role, Snow White, allows her to showcase her Latina background in a way that has never been done before.
Rachel Zegler appears to have a talent for appropriating classic roles and making them her own. She breathed new life into a long-loved Broadway and cinema character as Maria in West Side Story. Many people are excited to see what she can do with one of the most iconic fairy tale princesses in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It’s a big step in her profession, but it’s also one with a lot of meaning for her. She chatted with Andrew Garfield in a Variety Actors on Actors feature about what it means to be Snow White:
Never in a million years did I envision myself in a situation like this. Snow Whites with a Latin ancestry are unusual to see. Despite the fact that Snow White is a huge popularity in Spanish-speaking nations. Blanca Nieves is a tremendous symbol, whether you’re talking about the Disney animation or its several adaptations, as well as the Grimm fairy tale and all the legends that go along with it. However, you don’t often see individuals who look like me or who are me in roles like that.
Despite the abundance of source material, it is rare to see Latina princesses in current fairy tale adaptations, as the actor correctly points out. Despite the negative reaction to her casting, she informed Andrew Garfield that she is still thrilled and focused on the work at hand.
Rachel Zegler was able to assist push the needle toward better Latin representation in Hollywood with her part in West Side Story, in addition to playing Snow White. In order to make the cast more genuine for the plot, Steven Spielberg actively recruited Spanish-speaking actors and actresses to represent the Puerto Rican characters. The filmmaker was also lauded for not using subtitles for the Spanish speech in the picture.
It’s unclear how Rachel Zegler’s Latina heritage will be included into the new Snow White picture. Despite the fact that filming on the film has yet to begin, Zegler has done extensive (and enjoyable) research for her character. She’ll join the ranks of some pretty fantastic modern-day Disney princesses, like Lily James and Emma Watson, as well as Halle Bailey from The Little Mermaid, who is also breaking barriers with her casting.
One of several future Disney films to keep an eye on is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The musical West Side Story is now in theatres.
Cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs:
Rachel Zegler has been cast as the primary role in Snow White, following her enormous success in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.
Rachel’s accession to the major part in the film was discussed by director Marc Webb in a statement to Deadline. “Rachel’s exceptional vocal powers are just the beginning of her capabilities,” he stated, adding that “her strength, intellect, and positivity will play a key role in rediscovering the pleasure in this classic Disney fable.”
Gal Gadot, who plays Wonder Woman, will also appear in the next version as the Evil Queen.
She revealed her role in a statement to timesread.com. “I’m ecstatic,” she added, before adding, “I’m very happy.” “I can’t tell you everything that would answer this question,” she added, “but the take on this narrative is so unusual, lovely, and full of joy… I’m giddy with anticipation. I wish I had more to say.”
Controversy and Backlash:
Peter Dinklage, an Emmy Award-winning actor, has criticized the upcoming film for portraying a “backward story.”
In an appearance on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, he expressed his displeasure with the film’s use of dwarfs, saying, “Literally no offence to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they [Disney] were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White — but you’re still telling the storey of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
“Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there,” Peter, who was born with achondroplasia, a kind of dwarfism, said. It’s incomprehensible to me.
In one way, you’re progressive, yet you’re still producing that fg backward narrative about seven dwarfs living together in a cave? Man, what the f*k are you doing? Have I done nothing from my platform to help the cause? I think I don’t speak loudly enough.”
“To avoid reinforcing prejudices from the original animated film, we are taking a new approach with these seven characters and have been engaging with members of the dwarfism community,” Disney said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.