Rachel Zegler is bracing for a snow storm of attention…
Disney has released a first look at its live-action Snow White remake, starring the 21-year-old half-Colombian American actress/singer and West Side Story star and Gal Gadot.
Directed by Marc Webb, Snow White is based on Walt Disney’s 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was itself based on the 19th century fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm.
It was Disney’s inaugural animated feature and foundational to the Disney empire.
Zegler said it was “an honor” to bring the classic back to life “for modern age.” She said that, for her character, the film is about “Finding a sense of agency so she can be a just ruler and wonderful queen.”
Gadot observed that playing the evil queen was “very different than what I had done before. I am used to playing the other end of where the heart should be.”
The Wonder Woman actress called the Queen an “iconic villain” and said “getting under her skin was so delightful.”
She called the character “so not me” but stretching herself to find her was delightful.
The story follows a princess who is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make Snow White part of their household after she’s exiled into a dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother.
The new Snow White film will feature original songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson handled the screenplay adaptation.
Zegler is portraying Snow White, with Gadot as the Evil Queen, and Tony winner Andrew Burnap set as the new male lead character, Jonathan.
Production kicked off in the UK this spring.
Disney’s Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, releasing 2024. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/UkAVXQq5Kb
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) September 9, 2022