The upcoming live-action adaptation ofSnow Whitetakes inspiration from the1937 animated Disney movie and the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Directed by Marc Webb and written by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson, the film brings a fresh perspective to the classic story. Rachel Zegler takes on the lead role of Snow White, whileGal Gadot, widely known for her portrayal of Wonder Woman, takes on the role of the Evil Queen. Gadot has expressed her excitement about the project, particularly highlighting the joy of playing a Disney villain in a musical.
In a recent interview withVogue UK, she mentioned the delight in being able to push her performance to new dramatic heights, experimenting with her voice and infusing the character with an animated quality. Gadot said:
“I don’t have a preferred type of character. I think it was so much fun to play the Evil Queen. There was something so delicious with this part because it’s a fairy tale. It’s the first Disney villain. And because it’s a musical, I could stretch my performance and make it so much more dramatic and so much more animated, that it was just simply delightful. I enjoyed it, and I changed my voice and I did all these different things. And it was just super fun, and I can’t wait to watch it. I can’t wait to see how you know how it all turns out.”
RELATED:Disney’s Snow White Live-Action: Plot, Cast, Release Date, and Everything Else We Know
Rachel Zegler Embraces the Role of Snow White
As the news ofRachel Zeglerbeing cast asSnow Whitespread, it ignited a debate surrounding the character’s traditional depiction as a white princess in the animated version. The criticism directed at the casting choice draws parallels to the controversy surrounding Halle Bailey’s portrayal of a Black Ariel inThe Little Mermaid.While Zegler herself was taken aback by the opportunity, she eagerly embraces the chance to showcase her acting abilities in this role. Zegler previously said:
“Never in a million years did I imagine that this would be a possibility for me. You don’t normally see Snow Whites that are of Latin descent. Even though Snow White is really a big deal in Spanish-speaking countries. Blanca Nieves is a huge icon whether you’re talking about the Disney cartoon or just different iterations and the Grimm fairy tale and all the stories that come with it.”
There has also been debate regarding the portrayal of the dwarf characters in theSnow Whiteremake. Actor Peter Dinklage, known for his role inGame of Thrones, expressed his concerns about Disney’s decision to cast a Latina actress as Snow White while still including the traditional dwarf characters. Dinklage previously argued that the original animated film had depicted the dwarfs as stereotypical caricatures of little people, and questioned the rationale behind maintaining their presence in the remake. He believed that this choice conflicted with Disney’s supposed progressiveness and called for a reevaluation of the story’s narrative.
“Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Dinklage said on Marc Maron’sWTFpodcast. “Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me… You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that fing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess I’m not loud enough.”
Amidst these discussions, rumors have circulated about the potential replacement of the dwarfs with “magical creatures” in the new film. However, the exact plan of the characters remains undisclosed.Snow Whiteis scheduled to hit movie theaters on June 20, 2025.
